Iraqi Forces Seize Over One Tonne of Captagon Smuggled from Syria via Turkey
Iraqi security forces have seized over a tonne of Captagon pills trafficked from Syria via Turkey, marking one of the largest drug confiscations in Iraq. The operation involved cooperation with Kurdish forces and Saudi intelligence. Captagon has become Syria’s largest illicit export amid the civil war, with rising trafficking issues persisting in Iraq and neighboring nations.
On a recent occasion, Iraqi security forces successfully apprehended more than one tonne of Captagon tablets, smuggled from Syria through Turkey. The Iraqi interior ministry announced this notable seizure on Sunday, stating it involved the confiscation of approximately seven million pills, marking one of the largest busts in Iraq’s history.
According to General Moqdad Miri, the ministry’s spokesman, the Narcotics Directorate identified a truck originating from Syria, which was heading to Iraq via Turkey. During the operation, 1.1 tonnes of the powerful synthetic stimulant were discovered. This event represents the first significant seizure following the recent political changes in Syria.
The drugs were reportedly transferred from a Turkish truck to an Iraqi vehicle near the border, demonstrated in video footage released by the interior ministry. Although arrests were made during the operation, General Miri did not disclose the number or nationalities of those detained, emphasizing cooperation from Kurdish regional security forces.
General Miri acknowledged the vital role of intelligence provided by Saudi security forces in facilitating the successful seizure. Captagon, which is considered an illegal amphetamine-like stimulant, has emerged as Syria’s primary export since the onset of the civil war in 2011. Iraq and its neighboring countries, particularly Jordan and Saudi Arabia, have increased collaborative efforts to combat narcotics trafficking amidst a growing crisis.
In previous years, Iraq has reported significant seizures of Captagon, with six million pills confiscated in 2022 alone. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC) recently stated that Iraq experienced a “dramatic increase” in Captagon trafficking and usage between 2019 and 2023.
In 2023, authorities in Iraq seized a record-high of 24 million Captagon tablets, equivalent to over 4.1 tonnes, with an estimated retail value ranging from $84 million to $144 million. The UNDOC’s data indicated that, within the same timeframe, approximately 82 percent of the Captagon seized throughout the Middle East was traced back to Syria, while Lebanon accounted for 17 percent of the trafficking.
The recent seizure of over a tonne of Captagon by Iraqi security forces underscores the persistent issue of drug trafficking in the region, particularly as it relates to Syria’s ongoing conflict. The successful operation, aided by regional cooperation and intelligence, highlights the challenges Iraq faces in combating the alarming rise of narcotics within its borders. As the situation evolves, further collaboration among neighboring countries remains essential to effectively address drug-related issues.
Original Source: anfenglishmobile.com
