Drug trafficking declines in Iraq following Syria-Iraq border closure, officials report
"Since the fall of Assad's regime and the consequent border closures, drug trafficking has noticeably decreased," Saad Ghazi, head of the Security Committee of Anbar Provincial Council, told Kurdistan24.
Dec. 28, 2024
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - Security officials told Kurdistan24 that following the closure of the Iraq-Syria border and the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, there has been a considerable decrease in drug trafficking operations in Iraq, specifically impacting the flow of Captagon pills.
According to security authorities, roughly 90 percent of illicit drugs previously entered Iraq via Syria before the border closure.
"Since the fall of Assad's regime and the consequent border closures, drug trafficking has noticeably decreased," Saad Ghazi, head of the Security Committee of Anbar Provincial Council, told Kurdistan24.
"While we cannot say it has totally ended, the daily influx has dropped from thousands of pills to hundreds," he added.
Iraq's Ministry of Interior statistics unveil that in 2024 alone, authorities captured nearly six tons of illicit drugs and detained 14,000 traffickers across the country.
However, citizens express concerns about alternate drug trafficking routes that could still pose threats to Iraqi society.
"Through media reports, we see regular raids on drug production facilities in Syria, which has contributed to the reduction in drug obtainability in Iraq," said Ismail Ahmed, a civil activist.
"Security forces have played a vital role in fighting this phenomenon, which poses a direct threat to our society," he further explained.
The Iraqi government maintains strict penalties for drug smuggling and usage, including capital punishment and life imprisonment.
The border closure with Syria, specifically at the al-Qaim crossing, has proved influential in curbing the flow of narcotics, particularly Captagon, which has been a considerable concern for Iraqi security forces.
The Iraqi Ministry of Interior continues to issue stern warnings about severe punishments for drug users and traffickers, irrespective of the type of substance involved, as part of its ongoing efforts to battle drug-related crimes in Iraq.