IRANIAN ANTI-DRUG AGENTS KILLED

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) - A total of 89 Iranian anti-drug agents
have been killed in clashes with drug traffickers over the past seven
months, the Islamic Republic News Agency reported Sunday.

During the same period, police seized more than 152 tons of drugs, said the
agency, which was monitored in Dubai.

The confiscated drugs included 133 tons of opium, 10.5 tons of hashish, 6
tons of morphine and 2.5 tons of heroin, according to the agency.

Iran lies on a route used by smugglers from neighboring Pakistan and
Afghanistan to transport drugs such as opium, hashish and heroin to the
Gulf Arab states and beyond.

Iran has been cracking down on drug smugglers since 1988, hanging hundreds
of people caught with more than a small quantity of narcotics. Officials
say $1 billion annually is allocated to Iran's anti-drug campaign.

In recent months, drug traffickers have kidnapped several Europeans,
including three Portuguese, three Spaniards and four Italians. All were
released unharmed.