Iraqi security agency says 50 detained in Anbar drug network raid

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's National Security Service said it dismantled a drug trafficking and distribution network in Anbar province, detaining 50 suspects and seizing a laboratory producing synthetic narcotics. The agency said the operation followed detailed intelligence surveillance and judicial approvals, and that one network member was caught red-handed with narcotics ready for distribution, which led investigators to the rest of the suspects and to the manufacturing site. According to the statement, raids recovered more than 2.5 kilograms of crystal narcotics and roughly 15,000 narcotic pills, and the lab was disabled to halt the supply intended for distributors and users. The agency said the detained suspects were referred to the competent authorities for legal proceedings and that the investigation is continuing. No further details on the suspects or the timeline of the raids were immediately available.