Empire of Poisons.. Government Report Reveals Involvement of Houthi Leaders in Largest Drug Trafficking Network in the Region

A recent government report has unveiled alarming details about the involvement of Houthi leaders in Yemen in orchestrating the largest drug trafficking network in the region. The report, issued by the General Directorate of Drug Control under the internationally recognized Yemeni government, highlights a significant surge in drug smuggling and trafficking activities during the first quarter of 2025.

According to the report, authorities arrested 246 suspects linked to 161 drug-related cases, including trafficking, promotion, smuggling, and consumption. These arrests were made during intensive security campaigns aimed at curbing the spread of narcotics across liberated provinces.

The report details the quantities of seized drugs, which include 591 kilograms of hashish, 71 kilograms of methamphetamine (known locally as "Shabu"), 987 grams of heroin, and over 7,000 assorted narcotic pills. Most of these substances reportedly originate from Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, underscoring the cross-border nature of the smuggling operations.

A high-ranking security source revealed that the Houthi militia is at the core of this trafficking network. Areas under their control serve as safe corridors for drug smuggling, with some shipments being rerouted to Saudi Arabia through gangs reportedly linked to senior Houthi commanders.

The militia has also expanded its drug trafficking activities towards Gulf countries, particularly through Saada province, the stronghold of Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi. This province has become a main departure point for shipments coming from Iran.

The Houthis maintain strict secrecy over these operations, which are reportedly overseen by senior leaders within their Political Council, Interior Ministry, and security and intelligence agencies. This situation reflects one of the most complex and dangerous cases of organized crime and corruption in the region.

International intelligence reports have previously documented numerous drug shipments from Iran intercepted in the Red Sea and Arabian waters. For instance, in January 2024, the US Navy seized a massive shipment valued at millions of dollars, and in May 2023, the international coalition intercepted another shipment aimed at the Houthis.

This escalation confirms that Iran’s support for its proxy militias goes beyond arms supply, extending to fueling regional chaos through narcotics, exploiting human suffering to finance wars, while Yemenis bear the consequences on their health, security, and the future of their generations.