Türkiye seizes nearly 2 tons of drugs, arrests 2,656 in nationwide crackdown
Turkish police officers conducting an operation. (AA Photo)
Security forces conducted extensive anti-narcotics operations across the country over the past three weeks, seizing 1.8 tons of drugs and 8.4 million pills, and arresting 2,656 suspects, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced Friday.
The operations took place in 78 provinces under police jurisdiction and 24 provinces under the gendarmerie.
Yerlikaya emphasized that drug-related crime is not just a security issue but a long-term societal threat. He reiterated the government’s commitment to combating narcotics trafficking.
Under the coordination of public prosecutors, more than 9,000 personnel, 40 air units, and 75 narcotics detection dogs were deployed. In Istanbul, officers seized 103 kilograms of methamphetamine and 283,000 drug pills. Van saw the confiscation of 166 kilograms of methamphetamine and 70 kilograms of heroin. In Diyarbakir, authorities recovered 569.5 kilograms of cannabis.
Officials say these efforts will continue, aiming to prevent drugs from reaching communities and ensuring stricter measures against traffickers.
