Iraq Arrests 404 Individuals on 'Various' Charges in a Week
The Iraqi Federal Investigation and Intelligence Agency (FIIA) announced on Saturday that it has arrested 404 individuals, including "terrorists", drug dealers, drug users, and others on various charges within a week-long operation.
According to an official statistic published by FIIA and cited by state media Iraqi News Agency, the total number of "terrorist members" arrested from July 13 to 20, reached 86. Additionally, 318 individuals involved in drug dealing and drug use were arrested, along with 998 others facing different charges. The agency also reported the arrest of three infiltrators with Arab and foreign nationalities.
During the operation, FIIA's efforts resulted in the discovery of 126 different weapons, 12 improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and three hideouts. Furthermore, they confiscated 255.4 narcotic pills, over 10 kilograms of narcotic crystal meth, and 78 tons of smuggled medicines. In addition to these findings, FIIA uncovered 26 unlicensed pharmacies and 15 industrial fraud factories.
Moreover, the operation led to the discovery of seven sites involved in the smuggling of oil and its derivatives, and the confiscation of 20 vehicles linked to these illegal activities.
Last week, Iraqi authorities reported the arrest of a drug trafficking network in Muthanna province as part of their expanded efforts to combat illicit drug activities within the country.
"A team from the General Directorate of Narcotics Affairs in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior arrested the most dangerous international drug trafficking network consisting of three defendants in the province of Muthanna," Iraqi News Agency reported at the time.
"During the operation, two million Captagon pills weighing 220 kilograms were seized in their possession in Muthanna governorate," it added.
