ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraqi security forces on Saturday announced they had arrested four drug-traffickers, three of whom were foreign nationals, in Maysan province.

The Iraqi Interior ministry announced that in an operation in Maysan, they had arrested four drug traffickers, three of whom were foreign citizens, who were in possession of five kilograms of crystal meth.

The operation came "after relying on internal intelligence sources and through a tight ambush based on information from reliable sources," according to the statement, adding that relevant authorities have pursued legal measures against the suspects.

Despite imposing severe penalties, Iraq continues to struggle with an escalating drug problem that has intensified since the US invasion in 2003.

The country has transitioned from a transit route for drugs from Iran and Pakistan to a drug manufacturing hub, as noted in a 2022 report by the Washington Institute.

Earlier this year, the Iraqi interior ministry announced that the quantity of drugs seized in the first half of 2024 exceeded 1.5 tons, while the amount of psychoactive substances seized over the past two years reached five tons.

Iraqi politicians have repeatedly warned against the rapid increase of drugs in the country.

Despite consecutive government cabinet’s pledging to fight the drug phenomena in the country and Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani having ordered the establishment of rehabilitation centers across all Iraqi provinces, the country’s infrastructure is still too weak to combat the rapid increase in drug use.