Police Seize 35 Tons of Narcotics
The figure shows a 29 percent rise in narcotics seizure compared to last year's figure.
Police anti-drug forces also arrested 28,000 drug smugglers and 46,000 addicts in operations conducted across the eastern provinces over the same period.
Based on the report, the narcotics that were seized consisted of 980 Kilos heroin, 1,980 Kilos morphine, 19,990 Kilos opium, 11,900 Kilos hashish and a few other drugs in insignficant amounts.
Iran lies on the international drugs trade route originating from Afghanistan and Pakistan and stretching as far as the Persian Gulf states, Europe and beyond.
It has been credited for some 80 percent of the opium and 90 percent of the morphin intercepted in the world.
Official reports say more than 3,100 Iranian police officers have lost their lives in drug-related battles throughout the country over the past 20 years. It spends some $800 Million annually in its anti-drug campaign.
Meanwhile, in another development the Deputy commander of the Abouzar police station colonel Ali Masoumian said here Saturday the local police forces conducted vast operations against the illicit drug runners in the northern and eastern parts of the Kerman Province in an effort to mop up the region from those involved in drug trafficking.
Talking to IRNA, Masoumian said positions of smugglers in the heights of Kalaghouni, Tam barfi, Anjiro, Gachi and Miankouh in Mahan, Ravar and Golbaf were targeted by the police forces.
Equipment used by the smugglers including arms and ammunition were confiscated in the raids, he noted and added that two drug smugglers were killed during the shootouts.
Some amounts of illicit narcotic drugs were also seized by the police, he said.
The Abouzar police station is situated in Bam, a Kerman province township.
He went on to say that the police raids against drug traffickers and criminals would continue vigorously.