Iraq's National Security Service seizes 675 tons of counterfeit rice, arrests nine in food fraud raids

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's National Security Service said it carried out simultaneous operations in several provinces, targeting unlicensed food production facilities and counterfeit goods. The agency's Najaf unit raided an industrial-area business operating without a license, where investigators determined rice of Pakistani origin was being repackaged under other brands to mislead consumers and harm the national economy. Officers seized 675 tons of rice and referred the case to the judiciary. In Diwaniyah, three people preparing to sell food under counterfeit brands were caught in a fake warehouse, with roughly 7 tons of food products and equipment specific to the operation seized. In Babylon province, one person running an unlicensed dairy production facility was detained, and more than 5 tons of raw and finished materials along with production equipment were confiscated. In Basra, three people were arrested at a counterfeit food production site that failed to meet health standards. The service said legal proceedings have been initiated against nine suspects across the operations on charges of commercial fraud and the production of food that endangers public health.