Baghdad: The Iraqi National Security Service announced today the seizure of more than 440 tons for commercial fraud in Muthanna and Basra governorates. The Service revealed that these operations were aimed at combating commercial fraud and protecting consumers.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the operations involved two separate incidents where the production dates of expired products were altered. In Muthanna Governorate, agency detachments raided a mill contracted with the General Company for Grain Trade. During the raid, they seized 90 tons of imported Indian rice being falsely marketed as local amber rice. With judicial approval, additional raids at the Samawah silo uncovered 350 tons of adulterated rice ready for distribution, totaling 440 tons seized.

The operation led to the arrest of eight individuals associated with the mill, and all documents related to the crime were confiscated. The seized items are being held pending the completion of legal proceedings.

The Service also reported that in Basra Governorate, the Economic Security Department arrested a warehouse owner involved in commercial fraud. The fraud involved changing production dates on expired food items. A search of the warehouse resulted in the seizure of 2,500 kilograms of spoiled food and large quantities of new, empty cartons for repackaging products with fake production dates.

The statement concluded that legal measures have been initiated against all individuals involved in both cases, and the confiscated items have been referred to the relevant authorities to prevent them from being distributed in the markets.