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UNODC to assist Iran in drug control

Tuesday, 17 February 2015 3:51 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 17 February 2015 3:51 PM ]

IRAN'S WAR ON NARCOTICS

Amir Mehdi Kazemi
Press TV, Tehran

Ministers and heads of counter narcotic agencies from 11 countries gathered in Tehran for the second time to discuss ways of combating drug trafficking in the region. The meeting was inaugurated by Iran’s interior minister in the presence of the executive director for the UN office on drugs and crime Yuri Fedotov.

Fedetov’s visit to Iran carried positive messages for officials in Tehran. In a joint press conference with the Iranian interior minister, the UNODC Chief acknowledged Iran’s numerous efforts in the seizure of illicit drugs. He also said that his office would help to provide Iran with anti narcotics technologies despite sanctions against the country.

Fedetov’s comments come after repeated calls by the Islamic Republic to ease sanctions on the import of equipment that would assist Iran in its anti drug campaign. According to figures a great part of the 6400 tons of narcotics produced in Afghanistan is transited to destinations across Europe via Iran. The Iranian interior minister who is also the secretary general of Iran’s drug control headquarters says that despite being on the forefront of the fight against illicit drugs, Iran stands alone when it comes to a practical joint action by other countries involved in the crisis.

Iran’s government says that it spends billions of dollars on drug control every year. Figures show more than 3000 Iranian border patrol guards killed battling smugglers. However for now this is a continuous war that Iran has to fight alone.

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