Iran neutralized 1,383 groups engaged in drug smuggling in the first quarter of 2010, Iranian Drug Combating Department head Hamidrza Huseynabadi said, the official site of the Iranian Police "police.ir" reported.The Iranian new year begins in March.
The officers arrested and prosecuted 52,324 smugglers and drug traffickers during the report period.
During the first three months of this year, the officers seized 108 tons of drugs, including 81,674 kg of opium, 1,304 kg - morphine, 7,385 - heroin, 15,623 - hashish and 2356 - other drugs, from illegal circulation. About 12,407 kg of drugs were found with the help of specially trained dogs. These figures exceed the figure of 2009 by 36 percent.