Iraq’s Federal Commission of Integrity foiled a smuggling attempt on the Kirkuk-Erbil highway, arresting two suspects and seizing a truck loaded with 8.5 tons of banned medical supplies. 

The commission announced on Saturday that investigators from its Kirkuk office executed a judicial warrant in a joint operation with Customs Police Intelligence. 

Driver and Customs Worker Detained Over Tax Fraud 

This action was conducted in coordination with the Customs Police Intelligence unit. Acting on tips about data tampering to evade taxes, the team intercepted the falsified import shipment at the Darman customs checkpoint on the Kirkuk-Erbil highway. 

"Investigation and auditing efforts resulted in the arrest of both the driver and the customs employee," the commission confirmed, adding that a Mercedes Actros cargo truck carrying 8.5 tons of illegal medical supplies was seized. 

The commission noted that the shipment's paperwork was altered to falsely label the banned medical supplies as local products to evade required customs fees. 

Suspects and Seized Cargo Referred to Judge

According to the commission, an official seizure report under Article 340 of the Penal Code was filed, and the suspects and seized cargo were sent to the investigative judge for legal action.