Baghdad: The National Security Service (INSS) recently announced a series of field and monitoring operations that resulted in the confiscation of unlicensed medications and unhealthy food unfit for consumption. These operations also thwarted multiple smuggling attempts and led to the destruction of large quantities of spoiled materials.

According to Iraqi News Agency, the INSS emphasized that these operations are part of their specialized duties carried out at checkpoints and border crossings. The agency’s ongoing efforts aim to protect food and economic security across the region. The operations resulted in the seizure of spoiled food and the confiscation of unlicensed medications, which were subsequently destroyed along with other materials deemed unfit for consumption.

In Baghdad, INSS detachments raided an unlicensed warehouse, discovering 150 kilograms of spoiled chicken, which was destroyed in compliance with established procedures and in the presence of relevant authorities. In Diyala and Mosul, agency detachments seized several vehicles loaded with approximately 33 tons of prohibited frozen chicken. Additionally, 2,381 cartons of prohibited food items were confiscated during these operations.

Intelligence efforts, following comprehensive field surveillance and obtaining the necessary judicial approvals, led to the seizure of a vehicle carrying smuggled and unlicensed human medicines. This included 1,845 cartons and 5,884 boxes of various types. Legal measures have been taken against those involved. Furthermore, the agency, in coordination with health departments, continued to conduct extensive campaigns to destroy tens of tons of spoiled and expired food products. These campaigns resulted in the destruction of 5 tons of spoiled fish and chicken in Basra and over 17 tons of spoiled food products in Diyala Governorate, with additional operations in Nineveh and its western regions destroying more than 2 tons of spoiled food products.

The INSS noted that these operations are part of their ongoing efforts to tighten control over border crossings and checkpoints, combat smuggling, and prevent the circulation of unlicensed or unfit-for-consumption food products and medicines.