Latest news with #Alaaal-Qaisi
Shafaq News
25-05-2025
- Shafaq News
Iraq's narcotics fight intensifies: Death sentence for drug smuggler
Shafaq News/ On Sunday, a criminal court in Najaf sentenced a man to death by hanging for smuggling narcotics into Iraq, a judicial source reported to Shafaq News. The convict was found guilty of bringing more than one kilogram of illegal drugs into the province. He also admitted hiding the substances inside children's toys and rubber tires with the intent to distribute them locally. The ruling comes amid intensified efforts by Iraqi authorities to combat drug trafficking across the country. Earlier today, the Iraqi Border Crossings Authority thwarted an attempt to smuggle thousands of Captagon pills through the Al-Qaim crossing in the country's western region. Addressing Shafaq News, Alaa al-Qaisi, the spokesperson for the Authority, confirmed that the operation was based on precise intelligence provided by the anti-narcotics unit. A total of 3,803 pills were discovered hidden inside a four-wheel-drive vehicle. The driver, an Iraqi national, was taken into custody. Officials described the seizure as one of the most significant operations targeting drug trafficking networks in recent weeks. Last month, Iraqi border forces also intercepted 600,000 Captagon pills—equivalent to 104 kilograms—at the Safwan crossing with Kuwait. Notably, Iraq lies along major trafficking routes linking Southwest Asia, the Gulf, and Europe. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has previously reported a sharp increase in drug seizures, warning that Iraq is playing an increasingly central role in regional smuggling operations involving Captagon and methamphetamine. UNODC has also cautioned that Iraq may be shifting from a transit corridor to a site of production, citing growing domestic consumption driven by economic instability and limited border control.
Shafaq News
14-05-2025
- Shafaq News
Iraq seizes 600K captagon pills at Kuwait crossing
Shafaq News/ Iraqi authorities intercepted a major drug smuggling attempt at the Safwan border crossing with Kuwait, the Border Crossings Authority announced on Wednesday. Spokesperson Alaa al-Qaisi revealed to Shafaq News that 600,000 Captagon pills, amounting to 104 kilograms, had been hidden in 'expertly modified compartments' within a four-wheel drive vehicle, suggesting the involvement of a sophisticated trafficking network. 'The vehicle was driven by a foreign passport holder attempting to exit Iraq.' Iraq lies on key trafficking routes connecting Southwest Asia, the Gulf, and Europe. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has raised concerns about the country's increasing role as a transit point for substances like Captagon and methamphetamine. UNODC data also indicates a sharp increase in drug seizures, with warnings that Iraq may be evolving from a passageway into a site of production and growing domestic consumption.
Shafaq News
29-03-2025
- Shafaq News
Iraq drug bust: Meth hidden in bread
Shafaq News/ Iraqi authorities intercepted a drug smuggling attempt at the southern Shalamcheh border crossing, seizing nearly two kilograms of crystal meth, the Border Ports Commission said on Saturday. The narcotics — weighing 1.45 kilograms — were 'professionally' packed inside a sealed metal pipe and slices of toast, in what the commission described as a failed attempt to bypass border controls. The arrest marked the second drug smuggling attempt foiled at Shalamcheh in two days. On Thursday, a separate passenger arriving from Iran was caught with crystal meth stuffed into a metal tube. A formal report was filed in both cases, and the suspects were referred to judicial authorities for further action, the commission affirmed. In a separate incident, another arrest was made at the Umm Qasr Port. The individual was allegedly attempting to smuggle various items — including pharmaceuticals, vitamins, motor oil, and other products. An arrest warrant was issued under Article 194 of the Iraqi Customs Law. As part of efforts to tighten inspection protocols, the commission announced new restrictions barring travelers from personally bringing in meats and dairy products through the Shalamcheh crossing to prevent narcotics smuggling. The directive bans the entry of red and white meats, poultry, all types of fish, dates, and dairy items such as milk and cheese, said commission spokesperson Alaa al-Qaisi. 'The ban applies only to goods carried by individuals shopping in Iran — it does not affect commercial trade between the two countries,' he told Shafaq News. The decision was prompted by difficulties in detecting narcotics hidden inside such items, even with sonar scanning devices, he explained. Located east of Basra, the Shalamcheh crossing is one of Iraq's key land borders with Iran. In addition to freight traffic, the entry point serves thousands of Iranian visitors traveling to religious sites in Iraq, particularly during holidays and pilgrimage seasons.
Shafaq News
19-02-2025
- Business
- Shafaq News
Iraq, Iran boost border control with expanded data exchange
Shafaq News/ Iraq and Iran have agreed to expand their electronic data exchange system for travelers and goods, aiming to simplify procedures and strengthen border control, the Iraqi Border Crossings Authority announced on Wednesday. Alaa al-Qaisi, spokesperson for the authority, stated that the authority's president met with the Iranian ambassador Mohammad Kazem Al-e Sadegh to agree on broadening the data exchange mechanism. The enhanced system will cover Iranian visitors during major religious events as well as goods and trade transactions. Additionally, the agreement calls for identifying new gate locations at border crossings, facilitated through coordination between specialized engineering teams via official liaison points. In 2024, the border between Iraq and Iran witnessed significant movement. Hundreds of thousands of travelers crossed for religious pilgrimages, trade, and tourism, with peak periods during major events such as the Arbaeen pilgrimage and other Shiite observances when millions of Iranian pilgrims traveled to holy sites in Najaf and Karbala. Border crossings including Mehran, Shalamcheh, and Zurbatiyah experienced heavy traffic. Daily cross-border movement also remains robust due to regular trade and tourism activities.
