It's Time You Knew: Iraq is a Major Player in the Global Drug Trade
So why is the blog and the YouTube Channel bringing this up now?
Because we believe the massive amount of finances surrounding the drug trade in Iraq may be affecting policies and legal growth within Iraq.
Given the US $84-144 million seizure value in 2023 for one drug type (Captagon) in Iraq, and knowing seizures typically represent only a portion of the total illicit market, it is reasonable to infer the total annual illicit drug trade flowing through and within Iraq is likely several hundreds of millions of US dollars, potentially over US $1 billion. (This amount is an estimate based on drug bust amounts)
Over the past several years, Iraq’s role in the global narcotics trade has shifted dramatically. Once mostly a transit zone, it is now increasingly becoming both a transit hub and a domestic market and producer of synthetic drugs. (Almajalla)
Why Iraq’s geography and context matter
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Iraq sits between major drug-producing or transit regions such as Syria, Iran, and the Gulf. Its long borders, porous crossing points, and ongoing instability make it vulnerable to exploitation by traffickers. (UNODC)
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The breakdown of security structures (post ISIL, weak border controls) has allowed organised criminal networks to exploit corridors through Iraq to move pills, precursors, and raw materials. (USAWC Press)
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Domestic factors: high youth unemployment, corruption, and limited resources for enforcement and rehabilitation, mean that both trafficking and drug use have grown. For example, the article notes that up to 60% of citizens were alleged users (though this number should be treated cautiously). (Almajalla)
The evolution of Iraq’s role in the drug trade
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Transit route to production/transit + domestic consumption: Originally, Iraq’s main role was as a transit route for drugs produced elsewhere (for example, synthetic stimulants made in Syria) moving into the Gulf and beyond. But recent data suggests Iraq is now also seeing production (or at least substantial handling and redistribution) and a rise in domestic consumption. (Almajalla)
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Synthetic stimulants dominate: The drugs most mentioned repeatedly are Captagon (an amphetamine-type pill) and Methamphetamine (crystal meth or variants). Captagon in particular is produced in Syria and uses routes through Iraq to reach Gulf states and elsewhere. (XCEPT)
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Seizures have surged: For example, one report said that Captagon seizures in Iraq in 2022 were 3,380% higher than in 2019. (Almajalla)
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Legislative/organisational response: Iraq has created (in 2017) the “Supreme National Authority for the Control of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances” and developed an anti-drug strategy for 2023-2025. (Almajalla)
Recent significant drug-bust examples
Here are some concrete recent operations that demonstrate how the trade is being intercepted:
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In March 2025, Iraq’s security forces seized about 1.1 tonnes of Captagon pills hidden in a truck from Syria via Turkey. This was described as Iraq’s largest ever drug seizure. (Reuters)
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In July 2025 (announcement August 19), Iraqi intelligence tipped off Lebanese authorities, and a major Captagon production factory in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon was destroyed. This shows Iraq’s role not only as a transit country but also as an intelligence / co-operation hub in the region. (Associated Press)
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Earlier, in 2023, Iraq and the UK signed cooperation agreements on tackling narcotics, terrorism, and organised crime, citing the discovery of a Captagon production facility in Iraq’s border province. (Associated Press)
Why is it difficult to tackle?
Border control challenges: Large stretches of porous frontier, rugged terrain, tribal networks, and corruption make enforcement difficult. (XCEPT)
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Dual domestic challenge: It’s not simply intercepting trafficking — Iraq must also deal with growing internal demand, rehabilitation of users, and corruption in the system. The article points out that 13% of security‐force personnel in a parliamentary health committee drug test turned positive. (Almajalla)
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The criminal networks are transnational: They span Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Gulf states and Iraq. As one study states, tribal or kin networks crossing borders facilitate smuggling. (XCEPT)
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The scale of production is large: Especially for Captagon, estimates run into billions of dollars of revenue, making it lucrative for organised crime and possibly for some state-actors or militias. (UNODC)
What has Iraq done so far
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The creation of the national authority (2017) and the launch of national strategies. (Almajalla)
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Increased seizures: For example, the article says that in the first half of 2024, Iraqi authorities seized 1 tonne of drugs and 9 tonnes of psychotropic substances, with 6,000 arrests. The prior year, they had seized 4 tonnes of drugs and 15 tonnes of psychotropic substances. (Almajalla)
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Random drug testing at checkpoints, driver’s licences, weapon permits, and university admissions. (Almajalla)
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Regional cooperation: In February (year unspecified in the article) interior ministers of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Iraq met in Amman to set up a joint telecommunications cell for information sharing. (Associated Press)
What still needs to improve
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Enforcement alone is not enough: The article argues that unless Iraq addresses root causes like corruption and unemployment, the drug problem will persist. (Almajalla)
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More rehabilitation infrastructure: There are rehabilitation clinics and treatment centres, but they are not yet sufficient to meet demand. (Almajalla)
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Better tracking of organised crime money flows: Reports suggest that while Iraq identifies drug trafficking as high‐risk, it still lacks full data on money laundering associated with the proceeds. (FATF)
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More border and regional cooperation, improved intelligence sharing, and capacity‐building. The recent busts show promise, but the scale of the problem is large.
In summary
Iraq has become a central piece in the synthetic-drug chain in the Middle East: functioning as part transit route, part production/handling zone, and part domestic consumption market. Its strategic location, porous borders, and internal socio-economic vulnerabilities make it attractive to traffickers. Recent busts demonstrate that Iraqi authorities are stepping up—but the challenge remains substantial, and without addressing structural causes (unemployment, corruption, weak institutions) the problem is likely to persist and possibly grow.
You can read here to learn about a recent drug bust operation between Iraq and Syria.
