Istanbul police seize over 1 ton of drug in large bust

At least 5 people arrested during anti-drug raids, local governor says

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - Istanbul police Thursday seized some 1,350 kilogram (2,976 pounds) of illegal drugs including heroin and skunk weed in separate operations across the city, governor said.

Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya said on Twitter that at least five people were arrested during the large-scale bust.

Anti-drug police squad confiscated a total of 850 kg (1,873.92 pounds) of heroin In Istanbul's northernmost Sariyer and easternmost Sultanbeyli districts, also nabbing two suspects, according to Yerlikaya.

He said that they also seized 500 kg (1,102 pounds) of skunk weed in a lorry and three suspects were arrested over trading drugs, without giving further information about location.

Last week, Turkish police confiscated more than 1.5 tons of heroin in the eastern province of Erzurum, marking the largest heroin seizure in the country's history.

According to police data, Turkish security forces have caught a total of 17.3 tons of heroin in 2018, arresting more than 1,500 suspects.

Kaynak: