At a Glance

• Judge Nizar Jaf warns of a significant rise in narcotics use in Kurdistan.
• Six of 11 conditional release cases he processed in one hour involved drug-related convictions.
• He says narcotics have spread into public places and increasingly affect women and girls.
• He urges families and officials to take stronger action against the growing threat.

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A member of the Public Prosecution at the Slemani Adult Reformatory has warned of a significant rise in narcotics use, urging families and officials to take action. Judge Nizar Jaf said drug-related cases are increasingly appearing among conditional release proceedings.

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Key Statements and Focus Area

• Growing Threat: “The danger of narcotics is close; it could knock on anyone’s door.” — Judge Nizar Jaf, public prosecution member.
• Drug-Related Cases: “Out of 11 conditional release transactions processed in a single hour, six were specifically related to narcotics.” — Judge Nizar Jaf.
• Family Vigilance: “It is necessary to call on families to monitor their children because narcotics use is on the rise.” — Judge Nizar Jaf.

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Jaf issued a video message addressing officials, families, and residents of the Kurdistan Region, warning about the growing prevalence of narcotics.

He warned that the problem is no longer limited to specific groups or locations, saying narcotics have spread among women and girls as well as in markets, restaurants, and other public places. Jaf said the situation is particularly concerning across Slemani Governorate and the Garmyan and Raperin administrations.

FYI

The Kurdistan Region, particularly the Slemani Governorate and its neighboring border zones, has increasingly transitioned from a historical transit corridor for illicit narcotics into a rapidly growing domestic consumer market.

Bordering Iran and Syria, the region faces an influx of synthetic drugs like crystal methamphetamine and Captagon, alongside traditional opiates, smuggled through porous mountainous terrains by transnational trafficking networks.

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