Iran's War on Narcotics: Police Seize 5 Tons of Narcotics in Southern Province

TEHRAN (FNA)- The Iranian law enforcement police squads have seized nearly 5 tons of different types of illicit drugs in the country's Southern province of Hormozgan on the rims of the Persian Gulf in the last one month, a provincial police chief announced on Tuesday.
Hormozgan's Police Chief General Mohammad Ali Akhoundi told reporters that his forces have seized 4,907kg of different types of narcotics during the last Iranian month (June 22- July 22), adding that the figure shows a 3% decrease in seizures compared with the same period last year.

The commander stated that the seizures included 4,109kg of opium, 301.6kg of hashish and 475kg of heroin and 21.3kg of other types of illicit drugs.

Akhoundi stressed that the police forces have disbanded 15 drug rings and arrested 256 individuals during the said period.

The Iranian police measures along the country's Eastern borders have forced drug-traffickers to resort to other routes, including the Sea of Oman and the Persian Gulf, to smuggle their drug cargos which originate in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Iran, located at the crossroad of international drug smuggling from Afghanistan to Europe.

Iran leads international efforts in fighting drug networks and narcotic traffickers.

According to the statistical figures released by the UN, Iran ranks first among the world countries in preventing entry of drugs and decreasing demand for narcotics.

The United Nations credits Iran with the seizure of 80 percent of the opium netted around the world.