Over 80 kg of illicit drugs seized in Turkey

By Necat Hazar and Halil İbrahim Sincar

VAN/MARDIN, Turkey (AA) - Police seized over 80 kilograms (176 pounds) of illicit drugs in Turkey on Wednesday, security sources said.

In the eastern Van province, some 55 kg (121 Ibs) of heroin were confiscated when anti-drug police stopped a car in Tusba district, the local police said in a statement.

Following a search in the car, police found drugs piled in the trunk in 108 packages.

The driver and a suspect were arrested over the charges of drug smuggling.

Separately, 27 kg (59 Ibs) of marijuana was seized in southeastern Mardin province-based simultaneous operations in three provinces against drug traffickers, according to local police.

Five suspects were remanded into custody over the incident.

According to police data, Turkish security forces confiscated a total of 17.3 tons (38,139 lbs) of heroin in 2018 and arrested more than 1,500 suspects.

*Writing by Havva Kara Aydin