Peregraf — Statistics released by the Kurdistan Region Security Agency (Asayish – Sulaymaniyah) show a notable decline in drug-related arrests alongside a sharp increase in the volume of seized narcotics during 2025.
Colonel Karzan Sherko, spokesperson for the Kurdistan Region Security Agency, announced the figures at a press conference, stating that the number of drug users and traffickers arrested fell by 28%, while confiscated narcotics increased by 38% compared to the previous year.
According to the report, Asayish forces arrested a total of 752 suspects in drug-related cases in 2025. During the same period, authorities seized 4,874 kilograms of narcotic substances, including 3,668 kilograms of precursor acids and 1,206 kilograms of other illicit drugs.
Decline in Arrests Over Three Years
Colonel Sherko highlighted a consistent downward trend in the number of drug users arrested over the past three years:
• 2023: 653 users arrested
• 2024: 651 users arrested
• 2025: 475 users arrested
Overall, the total number of drug-related suspects—users and traffickers combined—dropped from 1,019 in 2024 to 752 in 2025, a decrease of 267 individuals, representing approximately 38%.
Surge in Drug Seizures
Despite the decline in arrests, the volume of seized substances rose significantly. Asayish confiscated 4,874 kg of drugs in 2025, compared to 3,024 kg in 2024, an increase of 1,850 kg, or 38%, year-on-year.
Areas Covered
The statistics cover Sulaymaniyah and Halabja provinces, as well as the independent administrations of Garmian and Raperin. The data does not include Erbil and Duhok, as the Kurdistan Region operates two separate Asayish agencies.
Asayish officials said the figures reflect intensified operations against drug trafficking networks, particularly targeting large-scale shipments and precursor materials.