Over 1,000 arrested on drug charges in northern Iran province

Iran Focus: Tehran, Jan. 21 – At least 1,000 people were arrested in the Caspian province of Gilan (northern Iran) on drug related charges, according to the Public Relations department of State Security Forces in Gilan.
Thirteen kilograms of drugs including opium and cannabis were confiscated, over the past week. Iran Focus

Tehran, Jan. 21 – At least 1,000 people were arrested in the Caspian province of Gilan (northern Iran) on drug related charges, according to the Public Relations department of State Security Forces in Gilan.

Thirteen kilograms of drugs including opium and cannabis were confiscated, over the past week.

Earlier this week the Head of Iran’s Addiction Prevention Office said that the drug addiction rate had surpassed the population increase rate by three times.

“Based on statistics obtained over the last 30 years, drug addiction has increased by eight percent, which is the equivalent of three times the growth of the population”, Mr. Rafiee said in an interview with the ultra-right state-controlled daily Jomhuri Islami.

The total number of illegal-drug users in Iran is estimated to be more than seven million.

Speaking to a gathering of reporters, State Security Forces commander, Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf, hinted last week that large quantity of drugs in circulation might raise questions that drug smuggling has become institutionalized.

More than 200 tons of narcotics have been discovered in Iran over the past nine months, Qalibaf said.

His announcement came at a time when certain departments and officials within the Iranian regime are suspected of involvement in narcotics trafficking.