Iraq Arrests 94 Suspected Oil Smugglers, Seizes 89 Tankers in October

Iraq’s Ministry of Interior announced on Monday the arrest of 94 individuals suspected of smuggling petroleum products and the seizure of 89 fuel tankers and vehicles of various sizes during October.

The ministry’s Director of Relations and Media, Major General Miqdad Miri, said in a statement that operations carried out by the Energy Police Directorate and its affiliated units between October 1 and November 1, 2026, resulted in the arrest of 94 suspects across the country’s provinces.

He added that security forces also seized 89 tankers and vehicles prepared for smuggling operations in all provinces except the Kurdistan Region.

Miri further stated that security personnel raided eight hideouts belonging to smugglers in Karbala, Salah al-Din and Dhi Qar provinces. The operations also led to the seizure of 2,226,750 liters of petroleum products in violation of regulations, as part of ongoing efforts to combat fuel smuggling, safeguard national oil resources and protect the country’s economy.