Iraq intercepts unlicensed medication shipment at Basra airport

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Border Ports Authority said customs officials at Basra International Airport seized a batch of medications carried by an Iraqi passenger arriving from abroad. The authority said the passenger was intercepted in the arrivals hall of the airport's Border Port Directorate with packaging from various therapeutic medicines. According to the statement, an inspection found that the medications were being transported without the required permits from the Ministry of Health and without medical reports to substantiate personal use. The authority classified the act as an attempt at smuggling, noting that the items had not gone through official approval procedures. Legal proceedings were initiated and an official record was prepared, the authority said. The passenger was referred to the airport police station along with the seized materials. The Border Ports Authority added that the necessary legal process would be carried out by the relevant bodies. No further details were immediately available.