The Federal Police Command announced, on Wednesday, that it had thwarted an attempt to smuggle 43,540 kilograms of copper alloys, in addition to copper materials of unknown quantity, in Baghdad.
The command stated in a statement: "A force of the Federal Police seized a vehicle carrying copper alloys, and an unauthorized factory for melting and casting copper."
It added: "The operation was carried out through investigation, follow-up, and setting up tight ambushes, during which a suspect was arrested riding a Scania truck loaded with 400 copper ingots, each weighing 35 kg, and a Kalashnikov weapon and equipment."
It continued, "a force of the Federal Police took control of the factory and arrested a suspect inside it, where they seized (524 ingots, each weighing 35 kg), in addition to 56 large bags containing copper, the weight of each of which is estimated at more than 200 kg, and a homemade factory for melting copper, molds for casting copper, wires of different sizes and quantities, a Kia Hino vehicle containing raw materials and copper wires, and a Mitsubishi vehicle containing copper wire molds of unknown quantity.
Source: National Iraqi News Agency