Six narcotics suspects arrested in Erbil

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – After severe surveillance and investigation by Erbil security, six suspected drug dealers were arrested on Sunday, according to a statement from the Erbil Security Directorate.

The statement didn’t identify the names of the suspected drug dealers, only revealing the initials of the suspects.

During the arrest, law enforcement confiscated methamphetamine, four unlicensed pistols, cash, and drug paraphernalia.

Also known as “crystal meth,” methamphetamine is a synthetic stimulant with an appearance resembling bluish-white glass. It can cause severe complications such as hallucinations, psychosis, anxiety, violent anger, kidney failure, schizophrenia, and memory loss, among other serious detrimental disorders.

The Kurdistan Region has ramped up arrest and confiscation efforts in a bid in recent years to crack down on the spread of narcotics.

Drug trafficking and use have seen a surge in Iraq, particularly in recent decades, as its borders with neighboring Syria and Iran have made the country a hotbed for the transit and sale of narcotics. The two countries have frequently been accused by regional powers of harboring drug manufacturing enterprises and staking interests in illicit profits.

From its borders, smugglers cleverly disguise their contraband to bypass security checkpoints and enter the Kurdistan Region.

The Kurdistan Regional Government in mid-October of 2023 held a Conference on Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances in the presence of several faith community leaders, security officials, and regional and Western diplomats to discuss the issue.

Editing by Dastan Muwaffaq