Report reveals terrorist group PKK/YPG’s role in drug trade across Europe
A U.S. flag flies at a PKK/YPG terrorist organization base, in Syria. (AA Photo)
According to a report from the Turkish National Police’s Anti-Narcotics Department, the terrorist group PKK capitalizes on the price advantage of heroin in Europe’s retail market by organizing street-level sales.
The report, corroborated by findings from the U.S., U.N., NATO, INTERPOL and EUROPOL, highlighted the PKK’s involvement in drug trafficking along the “Balkan Route,” one of the world’s key drug trade corridors.
Organized drug trade activities
The PKK sees drug production and trafficking as lucrative activities to fund its operations. The group is heavily involved in all aspects of the drug trade, from manufacturing to street distribution.
Counterterrorism operations have consistently shown the PKK’s deep involvement in narcotics.
Between 1980 and 2022, Turkish police conducted 470 anti-narcoterror operations against the PKK, arresting 1,694 suspects and seizing large quantities of drugs, including 96 tons of cannabis, 5.5 tons of heroin, 4.5 tons of base morphine and millions of cannabis plants.
From 2016 to 2023, 355 operations by the Gendarmerie resulted in the arrest of 1,130 suspects, seizure of 182 tons of powdered cannabis, 123 tons of skunk and millions of cannabis and skunk plants, preventing illicit revenue of TL 685 billion.
US sanctions on key PKK figures
The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control has designated key PKK leaders, including Cemil Bayik and Murat Karayilan, as “Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers” under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act.
PKK terrorist organization threatens the territorial integrity of Türkiye, Syria, Iraq and Iran.
Since 1981, when it carried out its first terrorist attack in Siirt, the PKK has killed thousands of Turkish citizens and threatens Türkiye’s national security.
