SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Security forces seized three kilograms of narcotics in Erbil province on Thursday, authorities said.
In a statement, the general directorate of anti-drugs said the security forces seized 2.5 kilograms of opium and 500 grams of crystal.
A person was also arrested for drug possession charges, it added.
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.
In June, the security forces detained 10 suspects and seized more than 23 kilograms of narcotics in Erbil province in three days.
According to security officials, some of the drugs that they seize are imported illegally from Iran.
Earlier this month, the anti-drug forces detained a suspect and seized more than 106 kilograms of drugs in Sulaimani province.
In June, the security forces also seized 207 kilograms of narcotics and detained three suspects in the province.
The security forces seized more than 555 kilograms of narcotics including heroin, methamphetamine and hashish in 2020, according to the Region’s directorate of anti-narcotics.
