Turkey seizes PKK narcotics worth $1.7 billion

By Kaan Bozdogan

DIYARBAKIR (AA) – Turkish security forces have destroyed more than 20 million cannabis roots as part of a five-day operation against the PKK terrorist organization in Turkey's southeastern province of Diyarbakir, the governor's office has said.

The value of seized cannabis roots is nearly 5 billion Turkish liras [$1.7 billion], Diyarbakir governor's office said on Sunday.

Security sources have also destroyed three tons of marijuana, cultivated by the PKK, whose major source of finance is the smuggling of drugs.

Nearly 11 tons of ammonium nitrate - a chemical compound used in certain explosives - have also been seized since the operation began on Thursday (June 23) in Diyarbakir’s Lice district.

Security forces have also destroyed 35 hand-made bombs and arrested 103 suspects over crimes including aiding the terrorist organization across the city.

The operation is currently ongoing with the participation of 24 battalions – over 10 thousand military personnel - under the 7th Diyarbakir Corps Command in Lice and surrounding areas.

Targeting the mountainous and forest areas where high-ranking PKK terrorist commanders are believed to be sheltered, the operation aims to render terrorists ineffective and take apart shelters and depots.

*Anadolu Agency Correspondent Ilker Girit contributed to this story from Istanbul.