Turkey: 550+ kg marijuana seized from terrorist PKK

By Hasan Namli

DIYARBAKIR, Turkey (AA) - In operations against the terrorist PKK, Turkish security forces have seized over 500 kilograms of cannabis, as well as over 200,000 cannabis roots, according to an official statement on Thursday.

The provincial gendarmerie command in the southeastern province of Diyarbakir seized a total of 202,500 cannabis roots and 569 kilograms of marijuana in the Lice and Hani districts, said a statement by the Diyarbakir Governorship,

During the operation in Lice on Sept. 25, the gendarmerie command also neutralized three PKK terrorists.

Turkish authorities often use the term "neutralized" in statements to imply the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.

The gendarmerie also seized a total of 20 kg of skunk, a genetically modified marijuana.

Though the statement did not mention any specific terrorist group, Turkish forces have long been conducting operations against the terrorist PKK in the region.

The PKK is a major presence in international drug trafficking.

In Europe, the PKK controls 80% of the 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 Davut Demircan