Captagon from London to London: PUK Leadership Tied to Drug Trafficking

Bafel Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and a UK citizen who refers to himself as a Londoner, is emerging as a significant player in the international drug trade, according to Kurdish political elections campaign by Kurdistan democratic party (KDP), and Former president of PUK.

Over the past 12 months, two drug manufacturing facilities have been identified in the Sulaymaniyah region of northern Iraq, specifically in Maydan and Darbandikhan. Both sites, according to sources, were under the control of PUK leadership. These revelations align with a United Nations report on the sharp rise of drug trafficking in the region, which highlights Sulaymaniyah as a key node in the northern internal route for amphetamine-type stimulants, including “captagon” and methamphetamine. In May 2024, one of these laboratories in Sulaymaniyah was dismantled, shedding light on the province’s role in the booming drug trade. Beyond the UN findings, accusations have been made by prominent Kurdish figures, including Lahur Talabani, a former co-leader of the PUK, and Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister of Kurdistan. Both have publicly stated, during the recent election campaign, that the PUK is heavily involved in illegal business operations, including drug trafficking.

The UK, with Bafel Talabani’s dual status as a British citizen, has an opportunity to investigate these serious allegations through its diplomatic and intelligence channels in Iraq. An immediate inquiry could help bring accountability and potentially disrupt a growing international narcotics operation with roots in both Sulaymaniyah and London.

UN REPORT OF 2024