In a decisive move against the illicit drug trade, the Kurdistan Region's anti-narcotics forces have successfully confiscated over 10 million Captagon pills in the past 12 months. This significant seizure underscores the region's commitment to combatting the dangerous proliferation of the amphetamine-like stimulant.

The Directorate of Combatting Drugs, in a statement released on Saturday, emphasized that such a substantial confiscation is indicative of serious attempts by certain entities to promote the use and trade of this perilous pill. Despite the surge in Captagon use across the Middle East in recent years, the agency reported that its prevalence in the Kurdistan Region has remained limited and has even witnessed a decrease.

In a notable development, the Directorate announced the arrest of a "foreign drug dealer" in collaboration with Mosul security forces, seizing a staggering 136 kilograms of Captagon overnight on Friday. Additionally, the anti-narcotics forces cooperated with Iraqi federal counterparts, resulting in the confiscation of another 100 kilograms of the illicit drug.

The surge in drug trafficking and usage in Iraq has prompted robust measures, with the Iraqi Ministry of Interior revealing that 7,000 individuals were tried on drug-related charges in 2023 alone. Captagon pills, known for inducing mild euphoria, have become a widely trafficked substance in Iraq, with many speculating that the low-cost drugs originate from war-torn Syria and are trafficked to Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

The usage of Captagon is associated with severe health risks, including high blood pressure, hallucinations, and blurred vision. Withdrawal symptoms, such as irritability and fatigue, are common among users attempting to break free from the drug's grip.

This year, Iraqi security forces made a significant discovery, uncovering a Captagon lab in Muthana province for the first time, as reported by an Iraqi Interior Ministry spokesperson in July. To address the escalating issue, the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) convened a Conference on Combating Drugs and Psychotropic Substances in mid-October. The conference brought together faith community leaders, security officials, and regional and Western diplomats to discuss strategies and collaborative efforts in tackling the drug epidemic in the region.