Turkish police seize over five tons of drugs in last month

ANKARA

Turkish security forces have seized more than five tons of drugs in nationwide anti-narcotic operations over the last month, the Turkish Police Department said on Nov. 26.

More than three tons of hashish and nearly 2.5 tons of heroin were seized by police in anti-narcotics operations between Oct. 21 and Nov. 21, the statement said.

The other seized drugs included more than three million ecstasy tablets, 16,000 Captagon tablets, 887 kilograms of chemicals, over 23 kg of methamphetamine and six kg of cocaine.

The amount of drugs seized in Turkey surpasses the amount seized in all European countries combined, Deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdağ said on Nov. 26.

“This is because drug traffickers use [Turkey] as a transit route. However, the high figure actually shows the great success of our Interior Ministry and police department,” Akdağ said, speaking in an interview with Doğan TV Ankara Representative Hakan Çelik for private broadcaster CNN Türk on Nov. 26.

“Only a small portion of drugs that enter Turkey are actually used in Turkey,” he said, adding that the government plans to establish a special commission to fight against addictions.