Operation launched against counterfeit drug gang

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

Daily News Photo

Istanbul police seized 300,000 boxes of counterfeit drugs this morning after launching simultaneous operations at 45 different locations.

The raids, which were conducted at 6 a.m., came following eight months of audio surveillance against a gang that was revealed to be producing false drugs. The 300,000 packages of drugs were estimated to possess a street value of roughly 600,000 Turkish Liras.

Police also raided a pharmacy, seizing a large number of chemicals used in medicine production, as well as devices to dry the newly produced drugs. The owner of the drugstore, M.D.F., as well as 30 others, were detained in the operation and sent to Istanbul Police Station on Vatan Street in Fatih district for processing.

Most of the false drugs were advertised as aphrodisiacs that could pose serious health risks, according to authorities.