ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – The Iraqi judiciary on Tuesday announced arresting “one of the most dangerous” internationally-wanted drug traffickers, who is also accused of several other serious crimes, as the country ramps up efforts to combat the spread of narcotics.

The Iraqi National Center for International Judicial Cooperation said that the suspect was arrested after “obtaining fundamental approvals from the Supreme Judicial Council to conduct investigations against him,” adding that the First Karkh Court of Investigation in Baghdad had begun the legal proceedings.

“The suspect is one of the most wanted people globally, and he is responsible for importing large quantities of drugs to the countries of Iraq and Australia, as well as smuggling the narcotic substance heroin, in addition to his participation with the most prominent organized crime gangs in Australia - Sydney, responsible for shooting incidents, murders, kidnappings, violent attacks, extortion and drug import,” read the statement.

The suspect is also accused of being connected “outlaw” groups which “have extensive influence within Australia and the Middle East, and are responsible for carrying out killings, shootings, money laundering, fraud, assaults, fire and drug trafficking globally.”

Despite imposing severe penalties, Iraq continues to face an escalating drug problem that has intensified since the US invasion in 2003. Iraq's stringent narcotics laws, which impose death or life sentences for drug-related offenses, are a response to the severity of the crisis but have yet to curb the increasing drug use and trafficking fully.

Iraq’s National Security Service (INSS) announced arresting more than 800 individuals on drug-related charges in 2025, in addition to seizing hundreds of kilograms of narcotic substances.

The interior ministry said that more than 1,200 drug trafficking networks, including 171 international cells, have been dismantled over the past three years.

Iraq was ranked third globally in combating narcotics at the World Police Summit in the UAE, and authorities say thousands of suspects have been arrested and handed heavy sentences as part of the crackdown.