Erbil’s security forces arrest suspected drug dealer, confiscate narcotics

Erbil (Kurdistan 24) – On Sunday, Erbil’s Anti-Narcotics General Directorate arrested a suspected drug dealer in the province along with substantial number of narcotics and weapons, a statement read.

“Following intelligence gathering and detailed follow-up, the Directorate could arrest a drug dealer on July 5 in Erbil,” a statement from the Directorate read.

Besides that, “265 grams of narcotics, including marijuana, opium, and crystal myth” were confiscated, per the statement, as over 400 tablets of narcotics-like painkiller Tramadol were also seized.

The arrest came upon a major announcement, in late June, by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) that announced the arrest of over 500 suspected drug dealers and users in the first half of 2020 to mark the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, observed annually on June 26.

Read More: Kurdistan announces nearly 600 drug arrests in first half of 2020; over 350 kg seized

Four pistols and a Kalashnikov rifle assault were captured alongside the narcotics, the statement added.

The sale and consumption of any narcotics or controlled medications are strictly forbidden in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

In late 2019, the KRG announced that security forces in the autonomous region had arrested 1,702 individuals that had been charged with trafficking or possession of illegal drugs.

Read More: Kurdistan Region arrested over 1,700 for drug-related crimes in 2019

Kurdish and Iraqi authorities often intercept shipments of drugs passing through Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, mainly in the provinces of Basra, Diyala, Erbil, and Sulaimani.

Most of it is smuggled into the country through its porous border with Iran, on its way to Turkey, Syria, and ultimately Europe and North America.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany