Iranian police confiscated 3,000 kilograms of opium

Police detained 13 drug smugglers and confiscated more than 3,000 kilograms (6,613 pounds) of opium after gunbattles in eastern and central Iran, state-run television reported Wednesday.

The report did not say if there were any casualties, nor did it say when the shootouts occurred, the AP says.

Police commander Ahmad Aboui said the smugglers belonged to the biggest narcotics gang in Iran.

Iran is a major drug route to Europe and the Gulf states from Afghanistan. Confiscation of huge amounts of drugs in Iran is common. The country is estimated to have more than two million drug addicts.

In June, Iran burned more than 60 tons of seized narcotics as a symbol of its will to fight drugs. Last year, Iranian authorities seized more than 300 tons of narcotics.