TEHRNA – In raids on two drug gangs anti-drug police have arrested 13 and seized 580 kilograms of methamphetamine, Brigadier General Ali Movayeddi announced on Tuesday.

Police arrested five members of one of the gangs and seized 340 kilograms of methamphetamine when the criminals were trying to smuggle drugs through a checkpoint in south Iran, Movayeddi told reporters.

The general said in another operation in Tehran, police busted 7 members of the gang and seized 240 kilograms of the same drug when the culprits were trying to wrap up the drugs in packages.

He added that drug seizure in Iran has increased by 140 percent over the past 6 months compared to the same period last year.