Iraq and Syria conducted a major coordinated operation focused on combating cross-border drug trafficking. The raid targeted a network responsible for smuggling large quantities of narcotics between the two countries.
According to Iraq’s Interior Ministry, specialized units from the General Directorate for Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Affairs entered Syrian territory in coordination with Syrian authorities. The operation resulted in the seizure of 320 kilograms of narcotics. Several internationally wanted suspects were also arrested.
This latest raid follows a similar operation in July, when Iraqi and Syrian forces seized over 1.35 million captagon pills inside Syria. Authorities noted that these joint efforts highlight the importance of cooperation in combating cross-border drug trafficking.
Experts warn that Syria has become the epicenter of the Middle East’s narcotics trade. Captagon dominates the market, and Syria serves as both a production hub and a transit corridor for a regional trade worth over $2 billion annually.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports that over 80 percent of the world’s captagon supply originates in Syria. Iraq’s long 600-kilometer border with Syria has historically been exploited by traffickers, despite reinforced patrols and border security measures.
Authorities stress that curbing this trade requires ongoing coordination. Analysts recommend a strong security alliance between Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq, supported by international assistance. This approach ensures more effective enforcement and disrupts trafficking networks.
Officials also highlighted that joint operations provide intelligence benefits. Coordinated raids allow both countries to track trafficking routes, dismantle networks, and prevent narcotics from reaching urban markets. Such actions demonstrate the practical impact of collaboration in combating cross-border drug trafficking.
Local law enforcement agencies continue to monitor border regions and share real-time intelligence. Local authorities have announced community awareness programs in high-risk areas, encouraging the public to report suspicious activities.
Through these combined efforts, Iraq and Syria aim to strengthen regional security, protect citizens from drug-related harms, and disrupt criminal networks. Authorities reaffirm their commitment to ongoing cooperation, demonstrating that combating cross-border drug trafficking requires sustained and coordinated action.
