Erbil security forces confiscate 2 kg narcotics, arrest suspects

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Security forces on Monday confiscated two kilograms of narcotics in the Kurdistan Region’s northeastern district of Soran as well as made three arrests, according to a statement.

Soran district’s security forces confiscated “two kilograms of methamphetamine along with arresting three suspects,” a statement from the town’s anti-narcotics department read.

The suspects, according to the statement, were from the Pishdar area near the Iranian border. The accused tried to “infiltrate the illegal drugs into Soran.”

Kurdish and Iraqi authorities often intercept shipments of such controlled substances passing through the country, mainly in the provinces of Basra, Diyala, Erbil, and Sulaimani, specifically in the towns and villages connecting the countries of Iran and Turkey.

In late December, Erbil security forces published the figures of its activities during 2020, in which it had confiscated over 550 kilograms of narcotics, mostly heroin. The statement also included the number of accused, illegal weapons, narcotics, medical drugs, and counterfeit currency.

Read More: Erbil security forces confiscate over 550 kg of narcotics in 2020, mostly heroin

The sale and consumption of any non-prescription drugs are strictly forbidden in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

The security forces also announced that they had arrested over 1,100 accused during the same period. Around 915 accused were tried and sentenced while the rest are still on trial or have been freed due to the lack of evidence, according to the statement.

Local activists and authorities have also warned of the rise in drug abuse within Iraq itself.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany