Ziad Khalaf Kata, Director of the Research and Studies Center at the Drug Affairs Directorate of the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, announced on Saturday that 25 international drug trafficking networks have been dismantled and 74 death sentences issued this year. Kata highlighted the cooperation with neighboring countries in dismantling these networks during 2024, emphasizing the importance of information exchange and database updates to stay abreast of new developments in this field.
Operations are conducted under Drug Law No. 50 of 2017, which facilitates the handover between countries. Iraq collaborates with regional countries such as Syria, Iran, and Qatar to intercept drug shipments. The Iraqi courts and the Supreme Judicial Council have issued 74 death penalties against drug traffickers, based on Articles 27 and 28.
These substantial judicial outcomes are attributed to effective arrest operations, contrasting sharply with only 54 similar judgments in the past three years. Kata also noted that the Prime Minister’s significant support and care for this issue have positively impacted the operations, allowing for achievements that surpassed those of the previous seven years.
Iraq has significantly ramped up its efforts against drug trafficking, with the establishment of rehabilitation centers and increased cooperation with neighboring countries. This includes setting up joint communication cells with countries like Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon to address the narcotics issue more effectively. The rise in drug-related issues in Iraq has prompted these extensive measures, emphasizing the government’s commitment to curbing this threat. The country has become a major transit route for drugs like Captagon, influencing regional security dynamics. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to combat not only drug trafficking but also related organized crime and terrorism.
