As Kurdish authorities intensify regional security efforts, they’ve successfully intercepted 30kg of crystal meth headed for Turkey and simultaneously prohibited cryptocurrency transactions following numerous citizen complaints of financial losses from unregulated exchanges.
Major Drug Seizure Halts Cross-Border Trafficking
Kurdistan Region Security Agency (Asayish) executed a meticulously planned operation that resulted in the seizure of 30 kilograms of crystal meth intended for smuggling into Türkiye. This significant drug bust came after extensive intelligence gathering and surveillance operations conducted along the region’s borders.
Security forces coordinated efforts between the General Directorate for Combating Narcotics, the General Directorate of Asayish Operations, and the Asayish Directorate of Checkpoints to apprehend the suspect—identified only as a foreign national—who was attempting to transport the substantial quantity of narcotics across the border.
The suspect has been detained under court order in accordance with Article 25 of the Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Law, with investigations continuing as authorities work to uncover potential connections to larger trafficking networks.
Cryptocurrency Ban Implemented Following Public Complaints
In a separate but equally significant security development, the General Directorate of Security in Erbil has instituted a comprehensive ban on electronic currency transactions. The Economic Security Directorate issued a formal statement prohibiting all trading in electronic currencies, including Forex and USDT.
The directive emphasizes that no Forex or electronic currency companies operating within Kurdistan Region or Iraq possess official authorization or licensing. This prohibition stems from the absence of regulatory frameworks or legislation governing such financial activities—a position aligned with policies established by the Central Bank of Iraq and the Ministries of Finance in both the Kurdistan Region and Iraq.
Authorities Warn Against Cryptocurrency-Related Scams
The Security Directorate’s announcement highlighted growing concerns about companies offering cryptocurrency trading courses and services under various names, declaring all such operations illegal. Officials cited multiple complaints from citizens who suffered financial losses after engaging with unregulated brokers and companies.
In response to these concerns, Asayish has issued a strong recommendation to citizens to avoid all electronic currency transactions to protect themselves from potential financial harm. The directive extends to social media advertising, with explicit warnings that companies promoting Forex and electronic currencies on digital platforms will face legal consequences.
The twin crackdowns demonstrate Kurdistan Regional authorities’ intensifying focus on both narcotics trafficking and unregulated financial activities that pose risks to public safety and economic stability.
