A clampdown on networks of crystal meth dealers carried out last year (ended March 20), had resulted in curbing production of the illicit drug, said Asadollah Hadinezhad, deputy at Iran Drug Control Headquarters (IDCH).
While the raids had led to a curtailment of crystal meth sales, the cost of the drug had shot up from $6,112 to $8,500 per kg, a 20-50% increase, he said.
Crystal methamphetamine is just one form of the drug methamphetamine. A powerful stimulant, meth and crystal meth create a false sense of well-being and energy, and so a person tends to push his/her body faster and further than it is meant to. In low doses, methamphetamine can cause an elevated mood and increase alertness, concentration, and energy in fatigued individuals. At higher doses, it can induce psychosis, rhabdomyolysis and cerebral hemorrhage.
Methamphetamine is known to have a high potential for abuse and addiction.
The production, distribution, sale and possession of methamphetamine is restricted or illegal in many other countries due to its placement in schedule II of the United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances treaty.
Drug Haul
Last year, 556 tons of drugs were seized, of which 87% were from the eastern provinces and border areas, Hadinezhad said, ISNA reported.
The largest haul was in Sistan-Baluchestan. Kerman and Hormozgan accounted for 75-80% of the drugs seized. Statistics show that 70-75% of drugs are seized along borders of Sistan-Baluchestan, South Khorasan, Khorasan Razavi, Kerman and Hormozgan provinces.
Opium was the biggest haul but hashish, heroine, drug precursors, crystal meth and morphine, were also on the list.
In the first three months of the Iranian calendar year (started March 21), fewer drug dealers were detained compared to the same period last year, following the crackdown on drug producers and crystal meth labs. However, 150 tons of drugs seized in the first three months accounted for 36% higher than in the same period in the previous year, he added.
