TEHRAN – Participating in the second joint meeting of the Committee on the Fighting of Drugs and Psychotropic Drugs among Officials in Baghdad, Iran and Iraq, underscores its commitment to combat drug-related crime.
The first joint meeting was held in January, and the second meeting was held at the invitation of Iraqi Health Minister Saleh Hasnawi.
At Wednesday’s meeting, Brigadier General Hossein Zolfakari, executive director of the Drug Management Headquarters (DCHQ), and Iraqi Home Minister Abdul Amir al-Shamari, highlighted the two countries’ commitment to combating drugs as one of the biggest social and security challenges of the modern era.
“This ominous phenomenon targets national security and society, especially the economic stability of young people and both countries. Our shared geography should be a source of prosperity and progress.”
He detailed his initial achievements in the fight against drugs, saying, “By sharing information and expertise on drugs, we can take effective measures. However, our common enemy is refined, armed and equipped with the latest technology tools.
Officials proposed establishing a joint border security and operational centre with liaison officials from both countries, allowing information exchange in real time and allowing for more accurate coordination of joint missions.
He also expressed preparations for Iran to hold a specialized training course on the latest strategies to detect and fight organized smuggling and money laundering for both Iran and Iraqi anti-drug police.
The development of the Legal Subcommittee was another proposal by Iran. It aims to identify and freeze assets in smuggling networks operating in both countries, and to encourage and promote coordination in the areas of judicial law and protocols.
Joint efforts in the war on drugs should not be limited to land borders. Coordination in monitoring drug trafficking in the Air Force, cyberspace and social networks has a major impact on smugglers.
During his official visit to Iraq, Zolfakari also held a meeting with Iraqi Health Minister Al Hasnawi.
After the meeting, Al Hasnawi said:
This cooperation has progressed to reduce drug smuggling crime in both countries,” Rudaw.net reported.
The meetings are the result of a memorandum signed two years ago between Iraq’s drugs and drugs and psychotropic substances in the Islamic Republic of Iraq, officials added.
An Iraqi government official delved into the details that “the conference’s recommendations are effective, realistic and applicable,” expressing his hopes for “further integration of relations between the two countries, Iraq and its neighbouring countries in order to curb the phenomenon that has invaded society.”
On the last day of the trip, Zolfakari attended a press conference. “The second joint meeting emphasizes adopting a unified approach in the fight against illegal drugs, and the main purpose of this initiative is to enhance security of joint perimeters, exchange information, implement joint missions, reduce drug-related crime and share successful experiences in reducing demand.
Officials stressed that Iran and Iraq are committed to creating safer spaces for their citizens by addressing the challenges posed by drug trafficking. It also improves regional stability.
Fighting drug trafficking
In January, Iraqi anti-drug police chief Ahmed al-Zarkani stressed the need to strengthen joint efforts in drug smuggling and sharing expertise between the two countries.
In praise of Iran’s efforts in the war on drugs, Al-Zarkani “looks forward to supporting joint efforts with Iran’s anti-drug police and expanding cooperation on other drug-related issues,” Isna reported.
Officials spoke at a meeting in Tehran with Iranian counterpart Iraj Kakaband.
Iraqi officials emphasized the importance of exchanging information about drug traffickers.
“A targeted, comprehensive fight against anti-narcotics requires a lot of effort and crosses the borders of both countries. By promoting cooperation, appropriate measures can be adopted to address drug trafficking more decisively,” Alzarkani said.
Iranian officials stressed on his side the need to strengthen the fight against armed drug traffickers at the joint border.
Controlling borders and drug traffickers who trade arms in exchange for drug trafficking at joint borders reduces the chances of criminal activity by armed drug smugglers at the border, Kakaband emphasized.
Following an understanding of the previously signed memorandum, Iranian anti-drug police are willing to enhance simultaneous border patrol collaboration, learn about drug smuggling methods and transport routes, establish specialized teams to deal with specific cases, and exchange information about smugglers and arrested people.
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