Dismantling 270 networks and gangs since the beginning of 2023 in Iraq

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[size=52]Dismantling 270 networks and gangs since the beginning of 2023 in Iraq[/size]

[size=45]Iraqi security forces are making progress in combating organized crime gangs that practice kidnapping, robbery, and drug trafficking.
Figures have revealed the dismantling of dozens of gangs over the past 18 months.
Security operations involving teams from the Ministry of Interior, the Counter-Terrorism Service, and the army were not limited to one governorate or city. Security officials confirmed the success of government measures in significantly reducing levels of organized crime.
On Thursday, the authorities announced that a security force had dismantled a gang of 5 people, one of whom was Pakistani, who carried out kidnappings, and freed an 18-year-old girl who was being held captive in an apartment in the Saydiyah area, south of Baghdad. They also announced the seizure of a Kalashnikov rifle and three grenades that were in the possession of the gang members.
An official in the Ministry of Interior confirmed the dismantling of dozens of organized networks and gangs and the arrest of their members from the beginning of 2023 until the middle of this year.
He added, “270 networks and gangs for kidnapping, theft, fraud, drug trafficking and distribution were dismantled between January 2023 and early July, which significantly and unprecedentedly enhanced security stability since the US invasion in 2003.”
More than a month ago, controversy arose in Iraq regarding the infiltration of 50,000 Pakistanis who had come to Iraq as part of the Ashura religious pilgrimage. At the time, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Ahmed Al-Asadi confirmed that an investigation was being conducted to take appropriate legal measures, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied the veracity of the news.
Human rights activist, Basem Al-Rubaie, spoke about the importance of continuing campaigns to pursue gangs, and pointed out that “the danger of organized crime continues in the country, especially since some gangs are led by non-Iraqis or include non-Iraqi elements, which indicates the presence of many infiltrators to Iraq from other countries, and are active in the field of illegal activities.”
Al-Rubaie stressed “the need to pursue and follow up on the files of foreigners in Iraq, and to cooperate with the embassies of these countries to prevent their presence.” He considered that “the security pursuit of these gangs is good, but their causes must be investigated and addressed through measures such as controlling the borders and preventing foreigners from infiltrating the country, continuing intelligence pursuits, and controlling any suspicious movements.”
Three days ago, the office of the supreme religious authority, Ali al-Sistani, clarified the legal position on drugs and ways to deal with them, in response to a referendum directed to him by the “Ma’rifa for Culture” Foundation.
Sistani prohibited the use and trade of drugs, and said that the official who is lax in combating drugs must resign.
Sistani’s response stated that “drugs are forbidden in all their forms, and the money obtained through them is illicit and it is forbidden to dispose of them.”
Sistani permitted “the use of some narcotic drugs if recommended by a specialist doctor,” stressing “the need to boycott dealing with anyone who smuggles or trades drugs.”
He pointed out that "there is no difference in the sanctity of drug trade and transport," explaining that "those officials who are lax in their duties in combating drugs are committing a double sin and must resign."
He continued, “The higher authorities that hold the reins of power have a great responsibility to cleanse the security and judicial apparatuses of the corrupt and corrupting individuals,” calling on cultural and religious centers and institutions, and everyone in their educational position, to remove the danger of drugs from society.
Al-Sistani said, “The repentance of anyone who used to take drugs and repented and continued treatment to the final stages and did not return to drugs at all is accepted.”
He added, “The right of a drug-addicted mother to custody of her children is dropped if there is harm to their safety.”
Organized crime has been active in Iraq in recent years due to many factors, including high rates of poverty and unemployment, which has had an impact on society. The authorities have been widely criticized for not developing plans to limit and eliminate the activity of crime networks.[/size]
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