ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The Iraqi National Security Service announced Wednesday the dismantling of a “dangerous” drug trafficking ring in Baghdad as well as the seizure of a large quantity of narcotics in their possession.

The arrest of the suspects came after three months of “careful intelligence follow-up and continuous field effort,” according to a statement from the security service. The operation resulted in dismantling “one of the most dangerous criminal networks specialized in the trade of narcotics in the capital, Baghdad.”

A total of nine suspects were arrested in relation to the network, which have now been referred to the relevant judicial authorities, according to the statement.

Additionally, the forces seized 3.5 kilograms of marijuana, 220 plastic cans containing cocaine, and 458 pieces of LSD which were concealed in the house of one of the arrestees.

Iraq, with its extensive borders with Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, has evolved from a transit route to a significant drug consumption market. The country has regressed to a drug manufacturing hub, according to a 2022 report by the Washington Institute.

On Tuesday, authorities destroyed around 239 kilograms of seized narcotic substances of different varieties in Basra.

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