Iraqi Former Deputy Oil Minister Detained Amid Massive Corruption Probe with Cash and Gold Found

Iraq is intensifying its investigation into one of the largest corruption scandals in its history after authorities discovered vast sums of money and gold in the home of former Deputy Oil Minister for Refining, Adnan Al-Jumaili. Al-Jumaili has been held in extended detention since his arrest in Salah al-Din province as part of a widening corruption probe.

During raids on Al-Jumaili's properties, investigators seized 25 billion Iraqi dinars (approximately 19 million USD), alongside 200,000 USD in cash and four kilograms of gold jewelry. The Supreme Judicial Council of Iraq revealed that much of this wealth was concealed within the walls of the former minister's residences, while other funds were transferred to trusted associates outside the Oil Ministry to evade detection.

Security sources further disclosed that in one of Al-Jumaili's houses in Tikrit, 25 plastic water bottles were found stuffed with US dollar bills hidden inside a chimney. This discovery follows recent reports of similarly large sums uncovered from other senior officials, highlighting the scale of corruption being addressed by Iraqi authorities.

The investigation continues as Iraq seeks to recover illicit assets and hold those involved accountable in a country long plagued by corruption within its oil sector and government institutions.