Large quantity of cocaine seized in southern Turkey

By Erdal Turkoglu

HATAY, Turkey (AA) - Turkish security authorities on Friday seized 176.6 kilograms (389.3 pounds) of cocaine from a foreign cargo ship in the Gulf of Iskenderun, said security sources.

According to sources, a joint team of anti-narcotics, intelligence, and Coast Guard Command was formed after a tip concerning the presence of drugs aboard the foreign cargo ship arriving from Mersin Port to Iskenderun Port on the country's southern coast.

The cocaine was found in 161 pieces hidden in a container on the ship, which was stopped and brought closer to the port in a controlled manner.

An investigation into the seized narcotics is underway, the sources added.