Pubdate: Sun, 21 Apr 2002
Source: BBC News (UK Web)
Copyright: 2002 BBC
Contact: http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/talking_point/forum/
Website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/558

IRAN NETS MAJOR DRUGS HAUL

Police Said The Drugs Came From Afghanistan

Iranian police have seized four tonnes of opium after clashes with drug 
traffickers near the border with Afghanistan, Iranian security officials 
have said.

Several smugglers were killed and two were arrested in the operation in 
south eastern Kerman province, according to Iranian sources.

Police said the drugs had a street value of $4.5m and were destined for 
Turkey and Europe.

It was the largest haul in the province's history.

"Both in monetary and logistical terms this is the biggest blow delivered 
in Kerman against international drug-traffickers," said Mohammad-Rez 
Jorkesh, commander of Iranian security forces in Kerman province.

Commander Jorkesh said the traffickers were also attempting to smuggle arms 
and other drugs in three cars, one of which was destroyed in a shoot-out.

Drugs Crackdown

Last week police killed a smuggler and seized 750kg (1,650lbs) of opium and 
heroin in neighbouring Yazdi province.

Iran has stepped up operations against drug smugglers, spending nearly $20m 
in 2000 in the fight against narcotics.

Police recovered 180 tonnes of opium that year, accounting for 85% of the 
world's drug seizures.

Iran is a major smuggling route for traffickers peddling drugs produced in 
Afghanistan and Pakistan for sale in Europe and Gulf Arab states.
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MAP posted-by: Beth