ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraq’s judiciary announced on Monday that around $20.1 million and five kilograms of gold were seized in connection with a case related to Adnan al-Jumaili, the detained oil ministry undersecretary for refining affairs, bringing the total cash confiscated in the case to around $120 million.

Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s cabinet launched a large-scale anti-graft campaign in late June, when security forces entered Baghdad’s heavily fortified Green Zone and arrested scores of senior officials and lawmakers over alleged corruption and theft of public resources.

The arrests followed “confessions given” by Jumaili, who was arrested in May over an alleged embezzlement scheme.

On Monday, Iraq’s judiciary announced the seizure of another 25 billion Iraqi dinars (around $19.1 million) along with one million in US dollars and five kilograms of gold in connection with the case.

The funds were found in “plastic water bottles hidden inside” Jumaili’s home, the judiciary said in a statement, citing an unnamed investigative judge. 

It added that the total amount seized in relation to the case has reached around $120 million, in addition to the confiscated real estate, vehicles, and gold.

The Iraqi government has officially confirmed that at least 21 people were detained during the widespread crackdown operation – dubbed Operation Dawn – on corruption charges. Iraqi state media had initially reported that 47 people were arrested.

Among those detained were Sunni Azm Alliance leader Muthanna al-Samarrai, former Wasit Governor Mohammed Jamil al-Mayahi, Oil Ministry Undersecretary Ali Ma’arij al-Bahadli, and Ibrahim al-Sumaidaie, a senior adviser to former Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani.

Zaidi’s campaign has enjoyed broad support from the Iraqi public as well as myriad notable politicians and officials across the country.