Turkey: 19 suspects arrested in anti-drug operations

By Yunus Okur, Necat Hazar and Mesut Karaduman

VAN, Turkey (AA) - At least 19 suspects were arrested during anti-drug operations across Turkey on Thursday, according to security sources.

In the eastern Van province, anti-drug teams seized 51.187 kilograms (112 pounds) of heroin and nearly 4 kg (8 lbs.) of methamphetamines from a vehicle along the Van-Ercis highway.

During the operation, two suspects were also apprehended on charges of drug trafficking.

In a statement, police said the operation targeted drug traffickers who are funding the PKK/KCK terrorist group in the Edremit district.

Separately, in the Mediterranean Antalya province, a suspect was arrested and 232 grams of hashish were confiscated in the Alanya district.

In the southern province of Mersin, 12 suspects were rounded up for alleged drug trafficking in simultaneous police raids across the province.

Another operation in Suleymanpasa and Corlu in the northwestern province of Tekirdag saw three suspects apprehended.

In the eastern Erzurum province, drug enforcement teams seized 112 kg (246 lbs.) of hashish hidden in a truck and arrested a suspect for alleged drug trafficking.