Turkey: 64 arrested in anti-drug operations

By Necat Hazar and Ferhat Tulan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish security forces arrested 64 suspects in nationwide anti-drug operations, a police source said Tuesday.

In an operation run by the gendarmerie of the eastern Van province, 30.6 kilograms (66 pounds) of heroin, hidden under the snow, was seized, according to a security official, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media.

In the central Eskisehir province, seven suspects were arrested for drug trafficking, a security source said.

Six others were arrested in the central province of Konya and in the Mediterranean province of Antalya.

Separately, in Istanbul’s Kagithane district, drug enforcement teams held 40 suspects for drug trafficking during simultaneous operations.

Eight others were apprehended and 33.4 kg (72 lb.) of hashish was confiscated in the Suleymanpasa, Malkara, Corlu, Cerkezkoy districts in the northwestern province of Tekirdag.

In addition, three suspects were arrested in the Ercis district of eastern Van province.