Turkey: Over 240 kilograms of heroin seized

By Necat Hazar

VAN, Turkey (AA) - Turkish security forces seized 246.1 kilograms (542.5 pounds) of heroin in anti-narcotic operations in eastern Turkey.

The anti-narcotics teams searched a suspicious vehicle at the Ipekyolu district of Van province, bordering Iran, said a statement from the provincial police department.

In the sniffer dog-assisted operation, 287 packs of heroin -- 194.6 kilograms (429 pounds) -- were found hidden in the trunk of the car.

Efforts are underway to nab the suspect identified by the initials F.B.

Also, the police teams stopped a suspect, B.Y., in the same district and searched the bag in his hand.

A sniffer dog found 51.5 kg (113.5 lbs) of heroin hidden in the bag. The suspect was arrested.

*Writing by Jeyhun Aliyev from Ankara