In the heart of central Baghdad, a seemingly ordinary building houses a vast warehouse packed with crates of alcohol from around the world. The owner, Tony, who has been in the trade for over 30 years, revealed that since the ban on alcohol imports and sales in March 2023, operations have shifted to illegal means with bribes fueling the industry.
Alcohol, mainly smuggled through Iraqi Kurdistan, navigates its way down to Baghdad, paying hefty bribes at each checkpoint. The cost of transporting a lorry-load has skyrocketed due to taxes and checkpoint payments, reaching an average of $50,000 per journey.
Despite the ban, the alcohol scene in Baghdad flourished post-2017, only to face a crackdown with the recent legislation. According to traders, the law was passed stealthily, negatively impacting Iraq’s minorities, like Christians and Yazidis, who have historically been involved in the industry.
As prices soar and customers dwindle, secret drinking dens and discreet shops serve a shrinking clientele, with hopes for support from European countries to revive the struggling industry.
Despite facing significant challenges and uncertainties, the clandestine alcohol trade in Baghdad continues to operate, reflecting the resilience and adaptability of those involved.