1,215 suspects detained in simultaneous nation-wide narcotics operation

ANKARA

Anti-narcotics teams have detained 1,215 suspects and seized a large number of weapons and illicit drugs in a large-scale operation launched in all 81 of Turkey’s provinces, according to a statement released by the national police on May 9. 

The statement came after police forces launched simultaneous, nationwide operations on May 8 against drug smugglers.  

The first phase of the operation was conducted early on May 8 in 79 provinces with the participation of 1,676 police teams, 118 detection dogs and 7,118 staff, the statement read. 

The second phase of the operation was conducted between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. local time in the 81 provinces, in “neighborhoods and streets where drug trafficking has been occurring extensively,” according to the statement. 

Some 11,373 personnel, 2,572 teams and 118 police dogs participated in the raids, which were also assisted by helicopters. 

May 8 marked a first as it was the first time that anti-narcotics raids were conducted simultaneously in all of Turkey’s provinces, the statement said, adding that 1,125 suspects, most of whom were being sought on drug charges, were detained as a result. “Some 64 pistols, 108 shotguns, 1,635 bullets, 35 sharp objects, 42 blank cartridge pistols, 474 grams of heroin, 173 kilos of hashish, 675 grams of cocaine, 3,509 grams of synthetic cannabinoids, 194 grams of methamphetamine, 2,541 kilos of opium, 828 cannabis roots, 2,443 ecstasy pills, 913 synthetic drugs, 5 packs of LSD, 15 precision scales and 28,650 Turkish Liras (USD $7,937) were seized,” the statement read.