Baghdad: The Ministry of Interior has announced the issuance of international arrest warrants targeting drug dealers.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the spokesman for the General Directorate of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances, Hussein Youssef Al-Tamimi, stated that the government, through the Ministry of Interior, has enhanced coordination with Arab and foreign countries under existing memoranda of understanding and agreements. This high-level coordination has led to the apprehension of numerous individuals wanted by the Iraqi judiciary.

Al-Tamimi highlighted the General Directorate of Narcotics Affairs’ precise intelligence operations that have identified major international figures in the drug trade. The intelligence gathered was submitted to the competent courts within the Supreme Judicial Council, resulting in the issuance of international arrest warrants against these dealers.

He elaborated on the directorate’s preparedness, mentioning that modern intelligence plans and advanced technology allow for the swift identification and apprehension of individuals involved in drug crimes, within 24 hours, across all Iraqi governorates, including the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. This is achieved through high-level security coordination and advanced devices capable of detecting narcotics and their concealment.

Al-Tamimi also noted the extensive training undertaken by the directorate’s personnel, enabling them to dismantle drug networks, even those that are armed. He emphasized that 2025 will be particularly challenging for drug dealers, as they face imprisonment or lethal outcomes if they confront law enforcement.

The focus on combating drug trafficking extends beyond national borders to include the broader Middle East region. Al-Tamimi stated that efforts are underway to curb smuggling attempts in collaboration with the Iraqi Border Forces Command and the Border Ports Authority.

Reflecting on recent achievements, Al-Tamimi mentioned that the progress made in the past two years surpasses all efforts since 2003. This includes the arrest of high-profile individuals, dismantling of international networks, and seizure of narcotics, all under the current government led by Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani.

He stressed the gravity of drug crimes and the directorate’s commitment to combating them, calling for its elevation to an agency to better address the scale of the challenge. Al-Tamimi concluded by acknowledging the legal support from the Supreme Judicial Council, which has been crucial in achieving their objectives in fighting drug-related crimes.