Ghanbar Naderi
Press TV, Tehran
Police in Iran confiscated over three tons of opium, morphine and synthetic drugs, which were produced in Afghanistan and destined to the regional and European markets.
Authorities say officers tracked three suspect containers to Shahriar in southwest Tehran and found 3.3 tons of drugs. The bust is the largest drug haul in the past three months in terms of both value and quantity.
According to a senior Iranian commander, the United States with imposing sanctions have [sic] been trying to hamper Iran’s efforts in the fight against drug trafficking.
Under the US sanctions regime, European governments refuse to provide Iran with high-tech monitoring tools and screening technology, which can help in guarding its long border with Afghanistan.
Over the past four decades, Iran has spent billions of dollars to seal its borders and prevent the transit of narcotics destined to European, Arab and Central Asian countries. Iran’s war on drugs trade has also claimed the lives of nearly 4,000 police officers and soldiers.
Iran continues to hold the top position in the global fight against drugs by confiscating over 90 percent of the world’s opium each year. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Tehran is also the UN’s top partner in the battle against drug trafficking.