Peregraf- The General Directorate of Energy Police at the Ministry of Interior announced on Wednesday the results of its latest campaigns against oil derivative smuggling, revealing that drones have been deployed to monitor and protect pipelines, fields, and wells across several governorates.
Lieutenant General Dhafer Al-Husseini, Director-General of Energy Police, said the force continues its work around the clock to safeguard oil facilities, companies, and transport routes. Between October 1 and 14, authorities arrested 69 suspects accused of smuggling oil derivatives and referred them to the judiciary.
During the same period, 45 tankers and other vehicles prepared for smuggling were confiscated in governorates across Iraq, excluding the Kurdistan Region. Security units also conducted five raids on smuggling dens in Anbar and Salah al-Din, seizing around 1.7 million liters of oil products that were returned to the state.
Al-Husseini confirmed that the directorate has now begun operating drones to enhance surveillance and prevent sabotage or smuggling attempts targeting Iraq’s energy infrastructure.
The Energy Police, part of the Ministry of Interior, is tasked with protecting the country’s energy sector. Its duties include securing oil and gas installations, combating smuggling, protecting convoys transporting derivatives between governorates, and coordinating with intelligence and environmental bodies on energy-related crimes.
In September, the directorate announced the arrest of 49 suspects on smuggling charges and the seizure of 38 tankers and vehicles nationwide, excluding the Kurdistan Region.