IRAN POLICE SEIZE 2,000 KG OF DRUGS, KILL SMUGGLERS

TEHRAN, Nov 22 (Reuters) Iranian police confiscated over two tonnes
(4,400 lb) of drugs after gun battles with smugglers in northeastern Iran,
the official Iranian news agency IRNA said on Saturday.

``The narcotics were seized during stop and search operations and after gun
battles with drug traffickers,'' IRNA said, adding that three drug
traffickers had been killed and nine arrested.

It said the drugs seized in the operations over the past three days
consisted of 1,826 kg (4,025 lb) of opium, 208 kg (460 lb) of morphine and
one kg (2.2 lb) of heroin.

Iran said earlier this month it had toughened its laws in a bid to curb
widespread drug smuggling and use. It said major offenders would be sent to
hard labour camps instead of prison. Small offenders would be sent to camps
with easier conditions.

Iran is a key transit route for drugs smuggled to Europe via Turkey from
Afghanistan and Pakistan, the ``Golden Crescent.''

Iranian officials say there are half a million drug addicts in the country
of 60 million. Local media has put the number at up to one million.

Under Iran's laws, smugglers caught in possession of five kg (11 lb) of
opium or 30 grams (1.1 ounce) of heroin face the death penalty. More than
1,000 people have been executed for drug related offences since 1989.