BAGHDAD, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's Interior Ministry said on Thursday that its anti-drug forces seized 64 kg of narcotics and nabbed a suspect in the Iranian city of Abadan, close to Iraqi borders, in coordination with Iranian authorities.
The operation was carried out by Iraq's General Directorate of Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Affairs in close cooperation with the Iranian anti-narcotics directorate, the ministry said in a statement.
The statement added that "joint security operations, based on international agreements and treaties with friendly nations, have proven effective in delivering decisive blows to drug networks and preventing the spread of these poisons that target the security and stability of society."
Years of chaos and conflict following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion have hindered Iraq's efforts to combat narcotics. The Iraqi government has stated that drug trafficking remains a significant source of funding for terrorism, while the circulation of drugs thrives in the shadows of terrorism.
The Iraqi Interior Ministry said in November that the country had dismantled 1,201 drug trafficking and distribution networks over the past three years, including 171 international rings, and had seized more than 14 tonnes of narcotics.
