5 tons of narcotics seized, 1,780 suspects detained in anti-drugs operation

Turkish authorities seized 4.8 tons of illegal substances and detained 1,780 suspects across 73 provinces in an anti-narcotics operation, Türkiye’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced Thursday.

Large-scale anti-drug operation involving thousands of officers

The “Narkocelik-48” operation, coordinated by the Anti-Narcotics Crime Department of the General Directorate of Security and local prosecutors, was conducted over two weeks.

It involved 4,450 teams, 11,125 personnel, 14 aircraft, and 42 narcotics detection dogs.

Yerlikaya highlighted the scale of the operation, which covered major cities including Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir and Gaziantep. He reported that authorities confiscated 4.8 tons of narcotics and nearly 10 million drug pills in the extensive crackdown.

Over 1,700 suspects taken into custody

The operation led to the arrest of 1,780 individuals suspected of involvement in drug trafficking. The suspects are currently being processed as part of the nationwide effort to combat the illegal drug trade.

“Poison dealers threaten the health, future and peace of our nation. Therefore, every segment of our society must cooperate and take a sensitive and determined stance against this threat,” Yerlikaya said.

“Keeping our youth, who are our future, away from drugs is our common duty. Let’s fight together. If you have any suspicions about drug sales or drug use near you, call us on the 112 Emergency Call Line. We will do what is necessary,” Yerlikaya added.