The Syrian Anti-Narcotics Department, in cooperation with the Iraqi General Directorate of Narcotics Control, successfully seized a quantity of narcotic substances prepared for smuggling across the border, according to a statement issued, Wednesday, 30 July, by the Syrian Ministry of Interior.
Khaled Eid, Director of the Syrian Anti-Narcotics Department, stated in a press release posted on the Ministry’s Facebook page that the operation was the result of precise intelligence exchange between the Syrian Ministry of Interior’s Anti-Narcotics Department and Iraq’s General Directorate of Narcotics Control. A joint security operation was carried out following a thorough study.
Eid confirmed that the operation resulted in the seizure of 1.35 million Captagon pills, which were prepared for cross-border smuggling. Several individuals involved were arrested and referred to the competent judiciary to take the necessary legal measures against them. The Ministry did not disclose the location where the security operation took place.
Meanwhile, Iraqi Minister of Interior Abdul Amir al-Shammari announced on Wednesday the arrest of a drug trafficking network in cooperation with Syria’s Anti-Narcotics Directorate, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA).
A statement by the Iraqi Ministry of Interior, cited by INA, said, “Under the direct supervision of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Mohammed Shia al-Sudani, and with the guidance and field oversight of Interior Minister Abdul-Amir al-Shammari, the General Directorate of Narcotics Control conducted a specialized cross-border operation in coordination with the relevant authorities in Syria.”
The statement added that “a specialized unit from the General Directorate of Narcotics Control, relying on deep intelligence efforts and accurate sources within drug trafficking networks, and in close cooperation with the Syrian Anti-Narcotics Directorate, carried out a critical security mission in the capital Damascus.”
The operation led to the seizure of more than 1.35 million narcotic pills (approximately 2,015 kilograms of what it referred to as “toxic substances”) and the takedown of one of “the most dangerous criminal networks involved in international drug trafficking,” according to the statement.
This drug trafficking network takedown marks the first coordinated security operation between Damascus and Baghdad since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on 8 December 2024.
On 29 July, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani confirmed that Iraq is coordinating with Syria’s new government, especially on security matters. His remarks came during an interview with the Associated Press.
Previously, on 1 April, Syria’s transitional president Ahmad al-Sharaa and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani discussed strengthening bilateral relations and opening a new chapter between Syria and Iraq during a phone call received by al-Sharaa from al-Sudani.
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