Iraqi counter-terrorism forces arrest two drug dealers in Dhi Qar

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Counter-Terrorism Service announced Thursday that its forces, working with the Directorate for Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances and local police, arrested two drug dealers in separate operations in Dhi Qar province. One suspect was detained and handed over to the narcotics directorate, while another was taken into custody in a separate operation in the same province and transferred to the same directorate in accordance with procedure. Following the arrests, a force attached to the Counter-Terrorism Service launched a wide-area search operation covering the districts of Fuhud, Suk al-Shuyukh and Batha, according to the service's statement. The operation aims to conduct reconnaissance and search activity along the boundary lines that separate Dhi Qar from the neighboring provinces of Wasit, Diwaniyah, Maysan, Basra and Muthanna, the service said. Officials said the suspects seized in the operations are being investigated by the relevant authorities. No further details were immediately available.