Turkey:245 people arrested in anti-narcotics operations

By Orhan Onur Gemici, Tansel Parlak, Necat Hazar, Mustafa Yildirim, Nevzat Tas, Bayram Sarayoglu

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces arrested 230 suspects in anti-narcotics operations across the country on Wednesday, officials said on Thursday.

According to a Directorate of General Security statement, nine pistols, three shotguns, one long-barreled rifle and 12 pistol chargers were seized during the nationwide operations.

Fifty kilograms (110 pounds) of hashish, 456 synthetic drug pills and 3,148 packs of smuggled cigarettes and 8,082 bits of raw hemp were seized by officials, accordingly.

In another operation, 13 suspects were arrested after anti-narcotics teams launched simultaneous operations in 15 different locations in the Istanbul province, according to a provincial security directorate issued Thursday.

Twenty kilograms (44 pounds) of cannabis, 34 synthetic drug pills, five pistols with seven chargers and 162 cartridges were also seized during the operations that took place on the Asian side.

Two other people were arrested and 17,540 packs of smuggled cigarettes seized in an operation in the northeastern Artvin province, a governor's office statement said on Thursday.