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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iraqi anti-narcotics forces on Tuesday said that nearly two tons of illicit substances have been seized since the beginning of the year, with 2,000 arrests made in the process.
Hussein al-Tamimi, spokesperson for Iraq's narcotics directorate, told Rudaw that more than 1 ton and 750 kilograms of various types of illicit substances have been seized since the year began.
A committee was also formed with a directive from Interior Minister Abdul Amir al-Shammari to conduct unannounced drug inspections and education and government institutions, according to Tamimi. Anyone found using drugs is immediately dismissed.
The government has also introduced mandatory drug tests for those seeking master's and doctoral degrees, driver's licenses, and firearm permits to combat the increased use of narcotic substances.
In a presser in December, the narcotics directorate revealed that a total of six tons and 183 kilograms of illicit drugs were seized in 2024, with arrests totaling at 14,483 suspects.
Of the 14,438 arrests, 144 have been sentenced to death for international drug smuggling, and 454 local dealers were sentenced to life in prison - a term of 20 years.
The United Nations has previously warned that Iraq has become a regional hub for drug trafficking and the government has pledged to fight it like it combats terrorism.
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani in July 2023 ordered the establishment of rehabilitation centers in all Iraqi provinces, excluding the Kurdistan Region, as part of his cabinet's stated commitment to combat the growing drug trade and use as seriously as the country fights terrorism.
In 2023, more than 19,000 people were arrested across Iraq on drug-related charges, according to Baghdad, and over 15 tons of psychotropic substances were seized.
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