Jordan cracks down on drug smuggling rings, seizes 600,000 narcotic pills 

Bags of confiscated pills are displayed at the police anti-narcotics unit headquarters in Amman on January 7, 2019. (FIle/AFP)
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  • Authorities received intelligence about a pair planning to smuggle drugs hidden in a cargo vehicle

AMMAN: Jordan’s Anti-Narcotics Department foiled two significant drug smuggling rings, seizing 600,000 narcotic pills and arresting 12 suspects in a series of coordinated operations, news agency Petra reported.

According to a spokesperson for the Public Security Directorate, AND officials intercepted 400,000 pills two smugglers were trying to transport into Jordan, intending to re-export them to a neighboring country. Both individuals were arrested.

In a separate incident, authorities received intelligence about a pair planning to smuggle drugs hidden in a cargo vehicle. Detailed surveillance led to their capture in Zarqa Governorate, where 200,000 pills were found in a concealed compartment. The suspects were detained as they approached a border crossing, marking another major success in the fight against drug trafficking.

The spokesperson also said a strategic crackdown in the central Badia region targeted high-profile suspects and drug networks. Supported by a special unit, AND agents detained four individuals, two of whom were classified as highly dangerous, and seized various narcotics, including pills, hashish and cocaine.

In other operations AND officers raided two adjacent houses in Balqa Governorate, identified as distribution centers for illegal drugs. The raid resulted in the arrest of several suspects and the seizure of 12,000 pills.

In Tafilah Governorate, a notorious drug dealer was arrested after a well-planned raid, leading to the seizure of 2,000 pills and six hashish tablets.

Similarly, in Mafraq Governorate, AND agents captured another dealer, uncovering seven hashish tablets and a stash of narcotic pills.