Anbar: The Military Intelligence Directorate announced on Saturday the thwarting of an attempt to smuggle more than 22,000 narcotic pills via a balloon in Anbar province.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the directorate stated in a press release that this operation was part of their efforts to combat drug trafficking. "As part of the Military Intelligence Directorate's plan to intensify intelligence efforts to combat the scourge of drugs, and based on precise information from one of its sources, the Intelligence and Security Department of the 10th Infantry Division, through meticulous tracking of a balloon, seized 22,000 Captagon pills on Karma Island in Anbar."

The statement further noted that the seized materials were handed over to the Directorate of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Control according to established procedures.