VIDEO: Kurdish security confiscates opium planned for export to Australia

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Kurdish security recently arrested 20 people suspected of drug dealing in Erbil, as well as confiscating five kilograms of opium among many other types of illicit drugs.

In an announcement, the Erbil Directorate of Drug Prevention said security had confiscated five kilograms of opium on Nov. 17.

According to the Directorate, an Iranian suspect in Sulaimani Province gave the drugs to a transportation company to export them to Australia via the Erbil International Airport (EIA).

The Directorate also mentioned security had arrested 20 suspects on Nov. 11, who have since been sent to court.

Additionally, the announcement revealed the security had confiscated marijuana and heroin as well as 800 sets of Tramadol and Somadril tablets.

“Drug abusers will be punished with a minimum of one year in prison,” Kurdish Lawyer Shakhawan Mohammad Omar previously told Kurdistan24.

“The punishment is much higher for the drug dealers,” he added.

On Oct. 12, Erbil security discovered a marijuana field in the Kurdistan Region and detained a group of eight persons who were involved in creating the drugs and selling them.

The General Director of Erbil Security told Kurdistan24 the discovery was the first time an illegal drug field was found in the Kurdistan Region.

According to him, the group was producing illicit narcotics in the area without the permission of the land-owner.

In July, the Directorate of Drug Prevention announced that security had arrested 277 people for the dealing and consumption of various illegal drugs in the first six months of 2016.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany