38 held, narcotics seized in operations across Turkey

GAZIANTEP/VAN/AFYONKARAHISAR/HATAY, Turkey

Some 38 suspects were arrested in anti-narcotics operations in Turkey, officials said on Thursday.

In the southeastern province of Gaziantep, 32 suspects were apprehended as police teams raided 30 addresses in a daylong operation in the Sahinbey district.

As many as 579 police personnel, along with canine units, unmanned aerial vehicles, and helicopters, were part of the extensive operation.

Some three kilograms (over six pounds) of marijuana, one kilogram (over two pounds) of heroin, two kilograms (over four pounds) of other narcotics, and 441 opiate drugs were seized in the operation.

In the eastern Van province, one suspect was arrested with 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of synthetic drugs, according to the provincial governorate.

Gendarmerie forces also seized 7,920 packs of contraband cigarettes in the province’s Baskale district.

Over in the western Afyonkarahisar province, police seized some 27,000 liters (over 7,100 gallons) of smuggled fuel and arrested two suspects.

In the southern Hatay province’s Reyhanli district, police teams seized 218 kilograms of marijuana, 100,000 opiate drugs, and 40 cannabis roots.

Three suspects were arrested in the operation.