Iraqi authorities have seized more than $120 million in cash since the start of an anti-corruption campaign launched last month, according to the Supreme Judicial Council and Central Anti-Corruption Criminal Court. The latest operation, carried out on Monday, was linked to the detained former undersecretary of the Ministry of Oil, Adnan Al-Jumaili.
Hidden Cash in Water Bottles
The operation led to the seizure of $1 million and 25 billion Iraqi dinars ($19.1 million) in cash, along with an estimated 5 kg of gold jewelry. The Iraqi News Agency reported that the money was found in plastic water bottles hidden in Al-Jumaili's house in Tikrit, northwest of Baghdad.
Total Seizures Reach $121 Million
This operation brought the total amount of cash seized since the start of the campaign to approximately $121 million. Authorities have also confiscated gold items and impounded real estate and vehicles worth millions of dollars from various locations inside Baghdad's Green Zone, which houses several high-ranking Iraqi officials and the US Embassy.
Arrests and Government Pledges
At least 47 officials, including members of parliament, have been arrested as part of the crackdown. Fighting corruption and ensuring a government monopoly over weapons were two of the key pledges of Ali Al-Zaidi, who was sworn in as Iraq's prime minister in May.
