AMMAN, July 2 (Xinhua) -- Jordan thwarted three drug smuggling attempts and conducted nationwide raids on Wednesday, arresting 17 suspects and seizing nearly 230,000 narcotic pills, the Public Security Directorate (PSD) said Wednesday.

The largest seizure -- 100,000 pills -- occurred at the Jaber border crossing with Syria. Additional busts uncovered 90,000 pills hidden in tobacco containers and 15,000 pills concealed in women's clothing on a bus entering Jordan through the same crossing.

Parallel operations across Jordan led to the confiscation of 23,000 more pills, 188 packs of hashish, as well as cocaine and crystal meth.

The PSD reaffirmed its commitment to cracking down on drug smuggling and trafficking networks. Jordan, which shares a 367-km border with Syria, has seen a surge in cross-border narcotics trafficking since the Syrian conflict began in 2011.

In January, Jordan and Syria agreed to set up a joint security committee to secure their border, fight against arms and drug smuggling, and curb the resurgence of Islamic State militants. ■