Turkey: Over 4,500 kg marijuana seized from PKK

By Hasan Namli

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AA) - Turkish security forces have seized over 4,500 kilograms of marijuana and nearly 185,000 cannabis sativa roots during an operation against the PKK terrorist group in the country’s southeast.

The operation was carried out by the provincial gendarmerie command of the Lice district of Diyarbakir province and a total of 4,562 kilograms (10,057 pounds) of marijuana and about 184,900 cannabis sativa roots were seized, provincial governorate said in a statement.

Two suspects were arrested in the anti-terrorism and anti-drug operation that started on Oct. 22 in the district.

Also, two shelters used by the terrorists and handmade explosive device buried underground, were destroyed.

The PKK is a major presence in international drug trafficking.

In Europe, the PKK controls 80% of the illicit drug trade, and reaps some $1.5 billion a year, according to Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu.

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

* Writing by Havva Kara Aydin