TEHRAN, Iran — Iran has burned at least 100 tons of illicit drugs as part of its efforts to fight drug smuggling.
Iranian authorities and foreign guests watched as some 50 tons of various narcotics were burned in north Tehran at a ceremony on Wednesday to mark the UN International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. Some 50 other tons were destroyed in several other Iranian cities.
Iran lies on a major trafficking route between Afghanistan and Europe, as well as Persian Gulf states where the confiscation of large amounts of narcotics is common.
Gen. Ahmad Reza Radan, a top Iranian police commander, criticized the West for its lack of cooperation with Iran, saying that instead of contributing to Iran's anti-drug campaign, Western nations deny Iran equipment needed to fight drug trafficking.
