Iraq destroys 239 kg of narcotics in Baghdad operation

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Higher Judicial Council announced that 239 kilograms of narcotics were destroyed during an official disposal operation in Baghdad. Judge Yasir Funtayl, head of the Commission for the Destruction of Narcotic and Psychotropic Substances, said the materials had been held at the forensic medicine unit of the Basra health department. The operation was carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Health and the Baghdad Forensic Medicine Department. Officials destroyed 239 kilograms and 837 grams of narcotics, along with 1,388 narcotic pills and 202 codeine-containing bottles, in line with legal procedures. The substances had been seized in Basra and stored at the forensic medicine unit for an extended period. Their disposal brought to a close the completed judicial phases related to the case, the council said.