ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - More than 14,000 drug suspects were arrested across Iraqi provinces in 2024, and over six tons of different narcotics were seized by security forces, relevant authorities announced on Saturday.

Iraq’s General Directorate of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances revealed that security forces were able to arrest a total of 14,438 suspects on drug-related charges in the past year, in addition to confiscating 6 tons and 183 kilograms of narcotics.

The number of arrests is lower than the statistics for 2023, during which over 19,000 drug suspects were detained.

A total of 144 death sentences were issued for suspected drug-traffickers in 2024, and 454 others were sentenced to perpetual imprisonment (20 years in Iraqi law), according to the directorate.

At least 11 drug suspects were killed and 33 were wounded in clashes with security forces, the directorate added, also reporting three deaths and 31 injuries among its ranks during that same period.

Iraq, with its extensive borders with Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, has evolved from a transit route to a significant drug consumption market.

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.

Prison cells across the country are often seen overcrowded with people. Both drug dealers and users are inseparably squeezed into cells together, with few rehab centers available. This has in turn increased cases of relapse even after one has served prison time.