TEHRAN – Anti-Drug Police in Iran and Iraq discussed ways to strengthen their cooperation in the fight against drugs, particularly during the Aaaain pilgrimage.
At a meeting held at the Melan border point on Saturday, Iraj Kakaband, the chief of anti-drug police in Iran, the closest Iranian border city to Baghdad, Iran, and his Iraqi counterpart Ahmed al-Zarkani, stressed the importance of strengthening anti-drug cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
The pilgrimage to Albain, one of the world’s largest religious gatherings, takes place 40 days after the anniversary of the martyrs of Imam Hussein (AS) and the grandson of Ashura, the third Shiite Muslim Imam, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Every year, a large number of people flock to Kalbala, where the sacred shrine of Imam Hussein (AS) performs mourning rituals. This year it will be August 14th.
The battle of drug smuggling
In January, Alzarkani stressed the need to strengthen joint efforts to share drug smuggling and 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 made their remarks at a meeting in Tehran with 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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