Turkey: 25 arrested in anti-drug operations

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces arrested 25 suspects in nationwide anti-narcotics operations, a police source said Monday.

In Turkey's western Kocaeli province, anti-narcotics teams seized 310 kilograms (683 pounds) of heroin and arrested two suspects for drug trafficking, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media.

Another suspect was arrested in an anti-drug operation in the western Kutahya province, the source added.

Also, sixteen others were arrested in three districts of the northwestern province of Tekirdag during simultaneous operations.

In the eastern province of Bitlis, a suspect was apprehended and 93 grams (0.2 pounds) of hashish was seized during a raid.

Separately, a suspect was held for trying to smuggle 14.8 kilograms (32 pound) of hashish into Turkey at the border gate in Ipsala in Turkey's northwestern Edirne province, according to border units who asked not to be named due to restriction on speaking to the media.

In Istanbul, police arrested three suspects and seized 61 kilograms (134 pounds) of drug pills.

In the northwestern Kirklareli province, a suspect was arrested and 11 kilograms ( 24 pounds ) of hashish were impounded.

Two suspects were held and 6 grams of heroin was seized in the Black Sea province of Sinop.

Police also arrested a suspect and confiscated 21.9 kilograms (48 pounds) heroin hidden inside a truck in an anti-drug operation in western Izmit province.