Iran to burn 100 tons of illicit drugs on Wednesday

More than 100 tons of illicit drugs will be burnt out in Iran on Wednesday on the occasion of the UN International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, semi- official Fars news agency reported on Tuesday. Different kinds of narcotics will be set on fire in Tehran province and 16 other provinces, said Fars. A number of Iranian high-ranking officials, foreign guests, ambassadors and foreign media will be invited to participate in the burning ceremony, the Foreign Media Bureau of Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance said in an announcement. Iran is located at the crossroad of the international drug smuggling route from Afghanistan, the world's top opium producer, to Europe. Iran's Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar said earlier that the Islamic republic had intensified combat against drug lords and mafias. Intensifying campaign against the main agents and heads of drug- trafficking networks and transit of narcotics, increasing border control to decrease drug trafficking into the country were part of the measures taken by his country, said Mohammad- Najjar. Tehran would continue to play effective role in regional and international decision-makings against narcotics, he said.