In a proactive move against the escalating drug epidemic, the Kurdistan Region's security forces have apprehended four notorious drug dealers and confiscated a significant amount of narcotics weighing one kilogram. The operation, executed based on prior intelligence, signals a robust effort by the Region's anti-drug authority to curb the illicit drug trade.

The arrested individuals were deeply entrenched in the illicit drug trade, engaging in activities such as trading, buying, and selling dangerous substances. The crackdown on such activities has gained momentum in recent years as the Kurdistan Region grapples with the pervasive issue.

The seized narcotics included heroin and methamphetamine, underscoring the severity of the substances being trafficked. Brigadier Hussein Namiq, the head of the anti-narcotics authority, emphasized the responsibility of arresting drug dealers, including high-profile traffickers, as they play a pivotal role in the dissemination of these perilous substances.

Prime Minister Masrour Barzani has echoed the urgency of the situation, calling for the establishment of a "joint international strategy" to combat the escalating threats posed by narcotics. This call was made during a conference in Erbil, where leaders from various faiths, diplomats, and local officials convened to address the pressing issue.

This recent operation follows a significant drug seizure in Erbil in late August, where over 100 kilograms of narcotics, including Captagon pills, crystal methamphetamine, and heroin, were confiscated. The Kurdistan Region has been grappling with drug abuse, with 80% of users falling within the 18 to 35 age bracket, 10% being women, and 4% being minors under 18.

In April 2023, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) took a proactive step by establishing the Drug and Psychotropic Substances Fund under the Ministry of Finance and Economy. The fund aims to provide treatments for substance abusers and offers financial rewards to individuals who provide information leading to the confiscation of illegal drugs.

The recent arrests and drug seizures underscore the Kurdistan Region's commitment to tackling the narcotics epidemic head-on, employing a multifaceted approach that includes law enforcement, international cooperation, and initiatives for rehabilitation and public awareness.