Police Seize 2.4 Tons of Illicit Drugs

Police seized 2,424 kilograms of illicit drugs during two operations in the southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchestan, a provincial police commander said. In a recent operation backed by the special anti-narcotics squad, the law enforcement forces of Saravan in Sistan and Baluchestan Province identified a major drug smuggling ring wanting to move a big haul of narcotics, Brigadier General Mohammad Qanbari said, the official news website of the police reported Thursday. After several weeks of monitoring the activities of the traffickers, the police identified their vehicles and engaged them in a armed clash. Police arrested five smugglers and captured three vehicles and 1,274 kg of opium, 14 kg of crack, 14 kg of heroin as well as weapons and ammunition, the commander said.

Iran, which has a 900km porous border with Afghanistan, has been used as the main conduit for smuggling Afghan drugs to crime syndicates in Europe and beyond.