Anti-Narcotic Department arrests 46 suspects linked to drug crimes

AMMAN — The Anti-Narcotic Department (AND) on Sunday arrested 46 wanted suspects, including three who allegedly had ties to regional gangs, in connection with 11 illicit drug cases, in various parts of the Kingdom in the past few days, according to police.

One of the main cases involved three dangerous suspects who allegedly had ties with regional criminal gangs, according to Police Spokesperson Lt. Col. Amer Sartawi.

“We received information that the three suspects were hiding in the Ruwaished area so a special force raided their premises and arrested them,” Sartawi told The Jordan.

The arresting force reportedly found weapons and illicit drugs in their possession, the police official added.

Meanwhile, the law-enforcement agency conducted a raid in Aqaba where nine people were arrested in two separate incidents, according to Sartawi.

Police seized 12 kilogrammes of marijuana in their position, the police official said.

Meanwhile, AND conducted several raids in Irbid, Ajloun, Mafraq and Northern Badia which resulted in the arrest of several suspects, including two who were classified as armed and dangerous, Sartawi added.

Police seized various amounts of illicit drugs and weapons, he added.

All suspects were referred to the State Security Court prosecution office for further questioning and indictment, according to a statement by the Public Security Directorate.

Earlier in the year, AND officials said approximately 23,000 drug-related cases were recorded in Jordan in 2023, involving more than 35,000 individuals, with about 13,000 suspects apprehended for alleged drug trafficking or distribution.

Officials said that the seized quantities of drugs in 2023 in cooperation with the Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army, customs, and other security agencies were approximately 6,200 kilogrammes of hashish, 6.5 kilogrammes of heroin, around 19 million Captagon pills, 141.5 kilogrammes of cocaine, 15 kilogrammes of Joker powder, and about 70.5 kilogrammes of crystal meth.