Iran`s Intelligence forces bust 9 major drug gangs

TEHRAN, Jan.4 (MNA) – The Intelligence Ministry announced on Tuesday that intelligence forces have identified and busted nine major drug gangs in various Iranian provinces, killing four criminals, arresting 38, and seizing 10 tons of illicit drugs. According to the Intelligence Ministry’s statement, the drug smugglers, who enjoyed the support of international drug gangs, crossed the country’s borders employing various tricks and methods and were seeking to transfer the drugs through the country, but intelligence forces managed to trap them carrying out simultaneous surprise operations in the provinces of Sistan and Baluchestan, Kerman, Yazd, Hormozgan, Isfahan, West Azarbaijan, Alborz, and Tehran. The statement added that ten tons of illicit drugs, including morphine, heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, opium, and psychoactive drugs were seized. Iran is used as the main conduit for smuggling illicit drugs from its eastern neighbors to drug kingpins in Europe. In response, the Iranian government has spent millions of dollars to seal its borders and prevent the transit of illicit drugs destined for European, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian countries.