Syria, Iraq foil drug smuggling attempt in joint security operation
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian and Iraqi interior ministries announced on Wednesday that a joint security operation thwarted an attempt to smuggle a large shipment of narcotics from Syrian territory into Iraq, according to official statements released by both sides.
In a statement, the Syrian Ministry of Interior said anti-narcotics units carried out a “specialized security operation” in Homs governorate in coordination with Iraq’s General Directorate for Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Affairs, resulting in the disruption of a cross-border trafficking plan.
The ministry stated, “Units of the Anti-Narcotics Administration, in cooperation and coordination with the General Directorate for Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Affairs in the Republic of Iraq, carried out a qualitative security operation in Homs, which led to thwarting a plan to smuggle a large shipment of narcotic substances outside the country.”
According to the statement, two individuals accused of managing an international smuggling network operating across borders were arrested during the operation. Authorities seized approximately 400,000 Captagon pills weighing nearly 65 kilograms, which were reportedly prepared for transport outside Syria.
The Syrian Interior Ministry confirmed that the confiscated drugs were officially seized and that the suspects had been referred to the competent judiciary to complete investigations and initiate legal proceedings.
For its part, the Iraqi Ministry of Interior said the operation was conducted within the framework of joint security cooperation and intelligence-sharing between Baghdad and Damascus. The ministry noted that a specialized Iraqi anti-narcotics unit had traveled to Syrian territory and participated in the operation in coordination with Syrian anti-drug authorities.
The Iraqi statement added that the operation followed intelligence exchanges between the two countries aimed at combating cross-border trafficking networks and limiting the movement of narcotics in the region.