ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iraqi security forces have seized over one billion dinars (around $760,000) in counterfeit currency, the country’s national security service reported on Sunday, as Baghdad continues a major anti-corruption campaign. 

In a statement, the Iraqi National Security Service (INSS) said its detachments in Baghdad “arrested a suspect wanted under Article 456 of the Iraqi Penal Code, who was found in possession of substantial sums exceeding 1.324 billion Iraqi dinars and $256,000.” 

Security forces also dismantled a currency smuggling network in Diyala province, the statement added, explaining that the network “was operating between Baghdad and Sulaimani and two suspects were arrested in possession of a POS device and cards.” 

The operations come amid a major anti-corruption campaign in the country, with Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi seeking to curb the phenomenon that has plagued the Iraqi state for decades. 

Iraqi security forces frequently carry out operations across the country’s provinces against currency smuggling and counterfeiting. According to the INSS, separate operations in Kirkuk and Nineveh also led to the arrest of individuals attempting to smuggle currency out of the country.

The country has also recovered a total of 375 kilograms of gold in the corruption case of Adnan al-Jumaili, the detained oil ministry undersecretary for refining affairs, according to the judiciary. 

Earlier this month, the judiciary shared photos of 14 billion dinars (~$10.7 million) recovered from underground drain pipes allegedly relating to the ongoing corruption case against Jumaili, bringing the total cash confiscated in the case to over $130 million.

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.