Iraq border forces seize 30 kg of captagon smuggled by balloon in western Anbar

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Border Security Command said border units seized 30 kilograms of captagon pills in western Anbar province, foiling an attempt to smuggle the drugs across the international frontier. The command said the seizure was made by the Third Battalion of the Sixth Border Brigade, part of the Second Border Region Command, during operations along the international border line. According to the command's statement, traffickers had tried to deliver the narcotics from across the border using a hot-air balloon. Border forces said the balloon was used to carry bags of the drugs across the frontier line. The command said monitoring and tracking operations along Anbar's western border are aimed at preventing such crossings. No further details on suspects or the origin of the shipment were immediately provided.