Close Menu
Unipath
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Unipath
    • English
      • Русский (Russian)
      • العربية (Arabic)
      • Kurdish
    • Home
    • Features

      Protecting the Red Sea

      May 13, 2025

      Commanding a Naval Coalition

      May 7, 2025

      Securing The Seas

      April 25, 2025

      A Multinational Medical Mission

      April 25, 2025

      A Convoy Across the Arabian Peninsula

      April 10, 2025
    • Departments
      1. Senior Leader Profile
      2. Around the Region
      3. Key Leader’s Message
      4. View All

      A Special Soldier to Command Special Forces

      April 9, 2025

      A Forceful Voice Against Violent Extremists

      October 18, 2024

      Service to the State

      January 24, 2024

      Educating Lebanon’s Future Leaders

      December 4, 2023

      Kuwait, U.S. enhance defense partnership

      April 9, 2025

      Counterterrorism on Turkmenistan-U.S. Agenda

      April 9, 2025

      Jordan Battles Regional Malign Influence

      April 9, 2025

      Kyrgyz Republic Builds Strategic Ties with State of Montana

      April 9, 2025

      Key Leader’s Message

      April 11, 2025

      Key Leader’s Message

      January 13, 2025

      Key Leader’s Message

      August 6, 2024

      Key Leader’s Message

      March 19, 2024

      Key Leader’s Message

      April 11, 2025

      A Special Soldier to Command Special Forces

      April 9, 2025

      Kuwait, U.S. enhance defense partnership

      April 9, 2025

      Counterterrorism on Turkmenistan-U.S. Agenda

      April 9, 2025
    • About Unipath
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Archive
    • English
      • Русский (Russian)
      • العربية (Arabic)
      • Kurdish
    Unipath
    Home»Departments»Around the Region»Iraq Combats Drug Trafficking
    Around the Region

    Iraq Combats Drug Trafficking

    UnipathBy UnipathApril 8, 2025Updated:April 30, 2025No Comments2 Mins Read
    Iraqi troops arrest one of several methamphetamine dealers during an antidrug operation. AFP/GETTY IMAGES
    Share
    Facebook Twitter Telegram WhatsApp Copy Link

    Given its long and porous borders with Iran and Syria, Iraq faces an unprecedented epidemic of illegal narcotics.

    In June 2024, a force from Baghdad Operations Command arrested 18 suspects on charges of drug trafficking and possession of weapons without permits. They were found with drones, unregistered vehicles, machine guns, other weapons and a variety of drugs. 

    According to the Iraqi Anti-Narcotic General Authority (IANGA), crystal methamphetamine is the most widespread substance, taken by 37% of Iraqi drug users, while Captagon users constitute about 35% of drug users.

     “The Anti-Narcotic General Authority in the Ministry of Interior carried out, during the first half of year 2024, several preemptive security operations against drug traffickers and drug dealers and all those involved in such crimes,” said public affairs officer Hussein Al-Tamimi. 

    “These operations resulted in the dismantling of major drug trafficking networks, the seizure of more than one and a half tons of various types of narcotic substances, and approximately 10 tons of psychotropic substances, and the arrest of approximately 7,000 people involved in drug crimes.”

    Iraq’s security agencies have not relied solely on punitive measures to mitigate drug use and trafficking. The Ministry of Interior opened 16 rehabilitation centers in the Iraqi governorates to minimize the impact of drugs on society. 

    Crystal methamphetamine is smuggled into Iraq from Iran through Iraq’s southeastern border while tablets of the stimulant Captagon come from Syria through Iraq’s northwestern border.

    The rising production, trafficking and consumption of amphetamine-type stimulants in the form of Captagon tablets and crystal methamphetamine is of particular concern not only to the government of Iraq but also to governments and societies across the Middle East.

    In February 2024, Jordan hosted a meeting for the interior ministers of Iraq, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon, culminating in the formation of a joint communication cell to coordinate, unify efforts, and exchange information on combating cross-border drug trafficking.

    “Iraq and neighboring countries have documented a sharp increase in the trafficking and use of Captagon over the past five years … Captagon seizures have increased by almost 3,380 percent in Iraq from 2019 to 2023,” the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported.

    Committed to Iraq’s security and stability, the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs has been providing technical assistance to Iraqi law enforcement agencies to address organized crime and drug trafficking. 

    Sources: Asharq Al-Awsat, baghdadtoday.news, Sky News, U.N. 

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleSaudi Arabia Expands Military Education
    Next Article Uzbekistan Approves Military Assistance Agreement with U.S.

    Related Posts

    Key Leader’s Message

    April 11, 2025

    A Special Soldier to Command Special Forces

    April 9, 2025

    Kuwait, U.S. enhance defense partnership

    April 9, 2025

    Comments are closed.

    V13N1

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to our mailing list to get the latest edition of Unipath.

    Unipath
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    © 2025 Unipath. All Rights Reserved.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.