Turkish authorities detain over 2,000 suspects in nationwide anti-drug operations
A group of Turkish security officers escorts detainees as six out of 11 suspects detained in a drug operation are arrested as part of Türkiye’s ongoing crackdown on narcotics in Trabzon, Türkiye, on Mar. 1, 2025. (AA Photo)
Security forces detained 2,365 suspects in anti-narcotics operations conducted across 76 provinces over the past two weeks, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced Tuesday.
Operations took place in major cities, including Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, leading to the seizure of 1.44 tons of drugs and 2.37 million narcotic pills.
“We will not allow drug traffickers to operate. We will not let them darken the future of our children,” Yerlikaya stated in his post on X.
76 ilde Uyuşturucu Madde Satıcılarına yönelik son 2 hafta içinde düzenlediğimiz operasyonlarımızda;
➡️ 1 Ton 444 Kg Uyuşturucu Madde,
➡️ 2 Milyon 376 Bin adet Uyuşturucu Hap ele geçirildi❗⚠️ 2 bin 365 şüpheliyi yakaladık❗
Aziz Milletimizin Bilmesini İsterim ki Zehir… pic.twitter.com/65Uk996dKO
— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) March 4, 2025
In 2024, Turkish authorities carried out 44,824 operations targeting drug manufacturers and traffickers. As a result, authorities arrested 72,421 suspects, with 32,425 formally charged and sent to prison.
Security sources reported that law enforcement seized 86.3 tons of drugs, 104.6 million narcotic pills, and 112 million cannabis plants throughout the year.
