Iran seizes 5 tonnes of drugs smuggled from Pakistan

Dubai, Aug 4 (UNI) Iran has seized over 5000 kg of illicit drugs as the West intensifies pressure to cut drug-smuggling aid to the country.

Iranian border police, stationed in the country's southern province of Sistan-Baluchestan, seized 3358 kg of opium, 22 kg of hashish and 275 ampoules of hallucinatory drugs in an ambush on Friday. During the operation, 22 drug runners entering Iran through its southern borders with Pakistan were arrested.

Iran's eastern province of South Khorasan was also the scene of clashes with armed drug smugglers. The police operation ended in the confiscation of 1576 kg of opium, four heavy machine guns and three satellite phones. Six smugglers were also arrested.

Iran leads international efforts in fighting illicit drug trafficking and is second to Pakistan in opiate seizures, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Iranian news agencies reported.

The director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime Antonio Maria Costa has warned of a 'heroin tsunami' in Europe if the drug interdiction by Iran is weakened.

UNI XC GL NS1021