Baghdad officials deny drug raid on church after plant misidentification

BAGHDAD, Iraq — A security source dismissed reports that security forces raided a church in Baghdad on suspicion of drug cultivation, saying the incident was limited to the discovery of a suspicious plant near a church in the Salihiya district on Tuesday. The source said competent authorities examined the plant and determined it was an ordinary species with no link to any narcotic substance. No raid was carried out against the church and no record exists of any such operation, according to the source. The denial comes after unverified reports circulated on social media alleging a narcotics-related raid at the site. The source urged the public to avoid sharing unconfirmed information to prevent the spread of misinformation. No further details were immediately available about who first reported the alleged raid or the exact location within Salihiya where the plant was found.