1,044 suspects detained, 516 arrested in anti-narcotics operations in Türkiye
Narcotics police officers from the Anti-Narcotic Crimes Directorate with reflective vests, Türkiye, September 2024. (AA Photo)
More than 1,000 suspects were detained during drug operations carried out across Türkiye between March 19 and 27, according to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, who said 516 of those detained were formally arrested.
In a statement shared on social media, Yerlikaya announced that the operations were conducted under the coordination of the General Directorate of Security’s Anti-Narcotics Department in 71 provinces, with the authorization of public prosecutors.
484 kilograms of drugs and 7.8 million pills seized
Minister Yerlikaya said a total of 484 kilograms of illegal drugs and 7.83 million pills were seized during coordinated operations by police and gendarmerie forces.
According to the statement:
- Police operations involved 1,450 teams and 3,626 personnel.
- 18 aerial vehicles and 39 narcotics detection dogs were used.
- These efforts led to the seizure of 332 kilograms of drugs and 7.76 million pills.
In a parallel set of operations, conducted under the coordination of the Gendarmerie General Command’s Anti-Narcotics Department in 15 provinces:
- 308 gendarmerie teams and 1,987 personnel were involved.
- 152 kilograms of drugs and 70,070 pills were confiscated.
Nationwide anti-drug operations continue
Minister Yerlikaya congratulated governors, prosecutors, police, and gendarmerie units for their roles in the operation and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fighting drug trafficking.
“We are on every street, every avenue, every corner. We are determinedly continuing our operations day and night with our police and gendarmerie, and we will continue to do so,” Yerlikaya said, emphasizing the government’s determination to continue efforts on every street, at every corner, day and night.
