‘Turkey committed to fight against narco-terrorism’

By Necat Hazar, Yilmaz Kazandioglu and Sayim Harmanci

VAN/HAKKARI, Turkey (AA) - Security forces in border provinces of eastern Turkey are continuing their relentless fight against narco-terrorism, authorities said Monday.

Turkish gendarmerie and police forces in Van and Hakkari provinces, both on the country’s borders with Iran and Iraq, conduct successful operations against drug trafficking, which is among the PKK terror group’s prominent sources of income.

Consequently, in these two provinces, over 8.1 tons of heroin, 1,781 kilograms (over 3,926 pounds) of marijuana, 738 kilograms (over 1,627 pounds) of various types of synthetic drugs, 254 kilograms (about 560 pounds) of opium, over 1.5 million cannabis roots and 5 tons of acetic anhydride, an essential chemical compound used in heroin production, were captured by security forces in 2020.

The same trend has continued in 2021 as understood by the figures revealed by the authorities. So far, a total of 480 kg (over 1,058 pounds) of various types of drugs were seized in Hakkari and Van provinces.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Hakkari Governor Idris Akbiyik drew attention to the enmeshed ties between terrorism and narco-trafficking.

Fatih Dortdoga, a senior officer at Hakkari’s police department, agreed with Akbiyik’s statements.

“The fight against drug-trafficking is an indispensable part of Turkey’s war on terror,” he said.

Muhsin Dumlupinar, a senior narcotics expert, said despite security forces’ efficient and resolute fight, drug traffickers continue to use Van to smuggle heroin from Afghanistan to its eventual destination, Europe.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist group by Turkey, the US and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

*Writing by Ahmet Gencturk in Ankara ​​​​​​​