Iraq’s Security Media Cell announced Oct. 30 the discovery of 6 kilograms (13 pounds) of hashish and 50 drug bars in al-Sakhrah area in the southern Maysan governorate, noting the increase in the drug trade and abuse in central and southern Iraq in particular. On Oct. 12, the investigative court for drug cases in Maysan reported, “The southern areas of the governorate are the most active in promoting narcotic drugs, and crystal meth [methamphetamine] makes up 90% of the substances trafficked there.”

On Oct. 29, Zuhair al-Shaalan, governor of the southern city of Diwaniyah, admitted in a televised interview that “the rate of drug abuse has reached 40%.”

The Basra Police Command announced Oct. 14 that it had arrested eight drug dealers in possession of narcotic drugs, pistols, ammunition and rifles. Such situations often turn into armed clashes; for instance, on Oct. 19, an exchange of fire between a drug dealing gang and the police in the southern Basra governorate resulted in the killing of an officer and the wounding of three security personnel. On Oct. 24, the biggest drug dealer in Basra was taken down.

A police officer in Diwaniyah told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity, “Citizens are well aware of the source of these drugs, which is mainly Iran. [These drugs] get here either through the southern Iraqi borders or through the Kurdistan Regional Government.”