Turkish authorities seize 1.7 tonnes of drugs overnight
In joint operations conducted by Turkish authorities in 57 provinces, 1.7 tonnes of drugs and 1.18 million pills were seized and 396 people were detained.
Duvar English
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya on July 17 announced that authorities seized 1.7 tonnes of narcotic drugs and 1.18 million pills in a joint operation across 57 provinces.
According to a statement made by the minister on his X account, operations were organized with the participation of 2,475 personnel across the country including the capital Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir against those engaged in the manufacture and sale of narcotics.
In an operation by the Istanbul Police Department's Narcotics Division alone, authorities seized 314 kg of liquid and crystal methamphetamine, 84 kg of marijuana, eight kg of cocaine, 12.5 kg of chemicals, and 98,700 drug pills. Additionally, 21 street dealers were detained.
Methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, skunk, bonsai (synthetic cannabis or phenazepam), and heroin were among the most seized drugs.
The United Nations (UN) International Narcotics Control Board's (INCB) 2022 report revealed that Turkey has became a transit point for many drugs to reach markets in the Middle East and Europe.