Kurdistan Region Becomes Major Drug Hub Amidst Government Complicity

Once an unfamiliar term, drugs have now infiltrated every level of society in the Kurdistan Region, with the area emerging as a significant center for drug cultivation and trafficking, facilitated by high-level political and military officials. Alarmingly, children and young people are among the most affected by this crisis.

The Kurdistan Region, previously unassociated with drug issues, has now become a central hub for drug cultivation and exportation to Turkey and Europe. What once was a new and unfamiliar word, “drugs,” has now become a pervasive part of life, affecting children, adolescents, and adults alike, according to a recent report from police

Zoom TV has reported on the alarming rise of drug trafficking operations within the region, revealing the presence of several organized trafficking teams. Despite some arrests, the problem persists and continues to grow.

Kurdfile’s investigation exposes a troubling complicity among party and military officials in the Kurdistan Region, who are reportedly aiding drug traffickers. Large quantities of drugs are being imported from Iran and then transported to Europe via Turkey, generating millions of dollars in illicit revenue. This involvement of high-ranking officials raises serious concerns about the integrity of the regional administration and its commitment to combating the drug crisis.

The transformation of the Kurdistan Region into a significant drug zone has had devastating effects on the local population. Addiction rates are soaring, with a particularly distressing rise in drug use among children and young people. The social fabric is being eroded by the rampant availability and use of drugs, leaving families and communities grappling with the fallout. Meanwhile, the authorities either turn a blind eye to the crisis or, worse, actively participate in perpetuating it.

This alarming development underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms and international intervention to address the drug epidemic in the Kurdistan Region. Without immediate and decisive action, the situation is likely to deteriorate further, leading to increased instability and suffering for the people of Kurdistan.

Harki , D

Member of the Syndicate of Kurdistan Journalists with 7+ years in local and international press. Editor, translator, and activist, dedicated to exposing corruption and human rights violations in Kurdistan.