Authorities destroy drugs worth JD180m

AMMAN — The Anti-Narcotics Department (AND) on Wednesday said it destroyed illegal drugs seized in 71 cases, valued at around JD180 million. 

Maj. Gen. Tahsin Momani, deputy director for Criminal Investigation Affairs at the Public Security Department, said the PSD annually forms a committee to destroy seized drugs, according to an AND statement.

The committee runs a check of the seized quantities and makes sure they match the information provided on each case, he said, noting that the AND strategy covers legal and preventive measures as well as rehabilitation. 

Exposed illegal drug-trafficking cases and the total amounts of seized drugs attest to Jordan’s diligent efforts to eliminate illegal drugs, Momani noted. 

He highlighted the country’s continued coordination and cooperation with other drug- combating entities in confronting drug pushers, smugglers and traffickers to put an end to their crimes and eliminate the threat of such “poisons”. 

AND Director Col. Sami Hmeisat said 111 Jordanians and 19 foreigners were involved in the 71 cases, which comprised trafficking, possession and smuggling attempts. 

The destroyed drugs included 1,000 kilogrammes of marijuana, 848 kilogrammes of hashish, 314 kilogrammes of cocaine, 149 kilogrammes of heroin, 174 kilogrammes of synthetic hashish, 4,000 bags of synthetic cannabis (locally known as “joker”) and 28,268,560 Captagon pills, he said. 

The drugs were destroyed using high temperature furnaces at the Jordan Cement Factories, the statement said.