The Baghdad black market alcohol sellers

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The underground alcohol trade in Baghdad: A story of resilience and struggle

Behind the unassuming facade of a building in central Baghdad lies a bustling warehouse filled with crates of alcohol, stacked high to the rafters. This is the heart of an underground industry that has been thriving despite a recent ban on alcohol imports and sales in Iraq.

Owner Tony, a veteran in the alcohol trade, revealed that the business now operates illegally, relying on bribes to navigate through the checkpoints that dot the route from Iraqi Kurdistan to Baghdad. What used to cost $3,000 to transport a lorry-load of alcohol now demands a staggering $50,000 due to taxes and bribes at each checkpoint.

The checkpoints have become so profitable that military commanders reportedly pay their way to be stationed at specific locations along the alcohol supply routes. Despite the ban, trade licenses are still required, albeit without any official paperwork, as Tony explained.

The impact of the ban is felt not only by the traders but also by the local breweries in northern Iraq. One brewer, speaking anonymously, shared the challenges of operating under the new regulations, paying taxes and fees without any documentation.

Iraq has a long history of alcohol consumption, with ancient Mesopotamia credited with inventing beer and former leader Saddam Hussein referring to whisky as “Iraq’s national drink.” The ban on alcohol has particularly affected Iraq’s minority communities, such as Christians and Yazidis, who have been involved in the alcohol industry for decades.

The passing of the law banning alcohol caught many lawmakers by surprise, as it was included in a bundle of legislation without much debate. Traders believe that the law unfairly targets Iraq’s minorities, who have already faced numerous challenges over the years.

In Sinjar, the ancestral homeland of the Yazidis, the ban has devastated the local economy, with shop and bar owners struggling to renew licenses and facing incarceration for attempting to transport alcohol from other parts of Iraq. The prices of alcohol have skyrocketed, leading to a decline in customers and profits.

Despite the challenges, some alcohol outlets in Baghdad continue to operate, albeit discreetly. The trade has become a shadow of its former self, with only wealthier Iraqis able to afford the high prices. The rise in drug use has also been noted as a consequence of the alcohol ban.

As the clandestine alcohol business grapples with uncertainty, traders like Tony are calling for support from European countries to help sustain an industry that has been the livelihood of many Iraqi minorities. The future of the underground alcohol trade in Baghdad remains uncertain, but its resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to the determination of those involved.