Iran’s police seize nearly 1.8 tons of illicit drugs
Iran’s anti-narcotics police forces managed to seize about 1.8 tons of narcotics and arrest four smugglers in the southeastern province of Sistan-baluchestan, the provincial police chief announced on Saturday.
General Hossein Rahimi said due to the fact that Sistanbaluchestan borders two major centers producing illicit drugs, combating this phenomenon is the main priority of the provincial police, which is constantly keeping a close watch on suspicious activities by armed drug gangs, Tasnim News Agency reported.
Through the round-the-clock efforts made by the provincial police, the forces in Saravan, Iranshahr, and Sib and Suran cities in the province identified an armed drug ring that intended to transit a huge haul of illicit drugs, he said.
The commander added that the police forces clashed with the members of the drug gang, seizing 1.248 kilogram of opium, 52 kg of heroin, and two battle rifles and arresting three drugs traffickers.
In another operation, he said, the police forces of Khash and Mehrestan seized 472 kg of opium and arrested a smuggler.
Iran, which has a 900-kilometer common border with Afghanistan, has been used as the main conduit for smuggling Afghan drugs to narcotics kingpins in Europe.
Despite high economic and human costs, the Islamic Republic has been actively fighting drugtrafficking over the past three decades.
The country has spent more than $700 million on sealing its borders and preventing the transit of narcotics destined for European, Arab and Central Asian countries.
The war on drug trade originating from Afghanistan has claimed the lives of nearly 4,000 Iranian police officers over the past four decades.
Under the agreement, Iran undertook to put limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran. All nuclear-related sanctions have been removed following the agreement. Sangeland said the lifting of the sanctions offers new opportunities for trade, investment and other cooperation.
Commenting on the developments in the region, Sangeland noted that Iran undoubtedly plays an important role in the region.
She added that Stockholm hopes Tehran could work “with Iran continues to host a large number of Afghan migrants and refugees. Iran should be commended for its efforts to provide education and health care to this large vulnerable group.”
She added that relations between the two countries have further developed during President Rouhani’s presidency.
The Swedish envoy said that her country and Iran have a constructive political dialogue over regional issues, trade, economy and financial affairs as well as multilateral cooperation and human rights.