SULAIMANI (ESTA) — The security forces have detained 10 suspects and seized more than 23 kilograms of narcotics in Erbil province in the past three days, authorities said on Tuesday.
The Directorate of Anti-Drug in Erbil said a group of seven people was arrested in the province on Tuesday, including “big dealers”.
The security forces also seized more than 12 kilograms of narcotics including heroin, hashish and crystal meth as well as 37,772 drug pills, including tramadol, somadril and methadone.
On Sunday, the security forces at Haji Omran border crossing also detained three other suspects and seized six kilograms of heroin hidden in a vehicle, according to the directorate.
Security officers at Erbil international airport also seized five kilograms of drugs including opium on Sunday, the anti-drug directorate added.
“They were hidden in rugs and lights, and were attempted to be taken to the UK through a transport company,” it said.
Kurdish officials have warned that drug trafficking threatens to become an epidemic if anti-narcotics forces fail to curtail its rise in the Kurdistan Region.
According to security officials, some of the drugs that they seize are imported illegally from Iran.
On June 14, the directorate of Asayish in Sulaimani said its forces had arrested three suspects and seized 207 kilograms of narcotics in the province.
