Iraqi security forces seized over a tonne of Captagon, comprising seven million pills smuggled from Syria via Turkey. This operation followed the fall of Bashar al-Assad and involved collaboration with Kurdish and Saudi forces. Such seizures highlight rising drug trafficking in the region, with 2023 noting a record of 24 million Captagon tablets recovered in Iraq.
Iraqi security forces intercepted over a tonne of Captagon pills smuggled from Syria via Turkey, marking one of Iraq’s largest drug seizures in recent history. This operation, as reported by the interior ministry, involved the capture of 1.1 tonnes, equating to approximately seven million tablets. A spokesperson for the ministry, General Moqdad Miri, confirmed the details, emphasizing the significance of this case.
The seizure occurred following the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, whose government has been associated with the mass production of Captagon. Video evidence shared by the interior ministry demonstrated the transfer of the narcotics from a Turkish truck to an Iraqi one at a border point. While General Miri acknowledged that arrests took place during this operation, he refrained from revealing the specifics of the individuals detained.
This operation also benefitted from collaboration with security forces in Kurdistan and relied on vital intelligence from Saudi authorities. Captagon, an illegal stimulant resembling amphetamines, has become increasingly notorious as Syria’s primary export during the ongoing civil conflict since 2011.
The regional cooperation among Iraq, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia is perceived as crucial in addressing drug trafficking challenges. In previous years, Iraq reported the seizure of millions of Captagon pills, with alarming growth trends noted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC). A recent UNDOC report highlighted that, in 2023 alone, authorities in Iraq seized a record 24 million Captagon tablets, approximately 4.1 tonnes, valued between $84 million and $144 million.
The significant seizure of Captagon by Iraqi security forces underscores the ongoing drug trafficking challenges in the region, particularly as related to Syria’s civil war. The operation reflects increased efforts among nations to jointly combat the proliferation of this illicit substance while revealing alarming trends in drug use and trafficking in Iraq. Continued cooperation and intelligence sharing among neighboring states is vital to effectively address these pressing issues.
Original Source: anfenglishmobile.com
