Iraq dismantles customs corruption network in northern Kirkuk

KIRKUK, Iraq — Iraq's Federal Commission of Integrity said it dismantled a corruption network made up of customs officers stationed at the Jamin checkpoint in northern Kirkuk. The operation was carried out in coordination with the National Security Service and followed months of surveillance and investigation, the commission said. According to the commission, the early-morning raid was conducted jointly by the Kirkuk Investigation Office and the Kirkuk Security Directorate. Customs officers identified as having been involved in corruption at the checkpoint were detained, and legal proceedings have been opened against the suspects, who were ordered held in custody. The commission said the operation fell within its mandate to protect public resources and combat corruption. It added that oversight and security units would continue to track those implicated in corruption in coordination with the judicial authorities. No further details on the number of suspects or the sums involved were immediately available.