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Palestinians blame Israel for Gaza drug trade

Gaza is experiencing a surge in illegal drug trafficking, addiction and crime.

Palestinian authorities confiscate illegal drugs in Gaza.
Palestinian authorities confiscate illegal drugs in Gaza. — Ministry of Interior and Control

Captagon, tramadol, marijuana, or ecstasy and happiness pills, as locals call them, have been pouring into the Gaza Strip in large quantities compared to the relatively low population of Gaza amounting to slightly over 2 million people.

Iyad al-Buzum, spokesman for the Interior Ministry in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, “The products that enter Gaza from Israel through the Kerem Shalom crossing are thoroughly inspected by the [Israeli] occupation authorities, which have advanced screening devices.”

“Most of the drugs that are seized inside the Gaza Strip come from Israel through the Kerem Shalom crossing,” he said.

Buzum holds Israel responsible for flooding the coastal enclave with drugs, with the aim of destroying the youth and spreading crime in society.

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