Zahedan, IRNA – An Iranian commander has said that some 18 criminal gangs have been destroyed in border areas of Sistan and Baluchestan province, which is the main point of drug trafficking in Iran.

Ahmad-Ali Goudarzi, Commander of the Border Guards of the Islamic Republic of Iran Police, told IRNA on Tuesday that the majority of drug seizures by the Iranian border guards take place in this southeastern province because the region is located in the forefront of drug transfer into the country. He added that in addition to the criminal gangs who have been smashed, several other outlaws have also been identified and arrested.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is the only country that is constantly fighting drug trafficking in its daily land and sea surveillance, so the world owes Iran for its precious efforts that hinder the transfer of drugs into other countries, Goudarzi argued.

Drug seizure by Iranian police forces increased by 24% from March 21 to December 31, 2023, compared to the same period in the previous year, the brigadier general said, adding that equipped with numerous drones, the border guards maintain the safety of the Iranian borders and that the security forces vigilantly monitor every movement by anti-Iran armed groups along the border lines.  

The neighboring states are expected not to allow armed groups to find safe havens in these territories and use their soils to hatch plots and conduct inhumane and terrorist acts against innocent people in Iran, he urged.

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