Turkey: Over 1 ton of illegal drugs seized

By Mehmet Siddik Kaya and Necat Hazar

DIYARBAKIR / VAN, Turkey (AA) - A large quantity of illegal drugs was seized by Turkish security forces in anti-drug raids on Sunday, officials said.

Some 994 kilograms (2,191 pounds) of marijuana and 247,400 cannabis roots were seized by gendarmerie command in Lice in the southeastern Diyarbakir province.

The raid was part of Operation Yildirim-7, which also focuses on narco terrorism, said the local administration in a statement.

It was launched on Aug. 26, and aims to completely eliminate the PKK terror group and neutralize all terrorists hiding in the region.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist group by Turkey, the US, and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

Separately, police took possession of over 282 kg (622 lb.) of heroin in two more operations in the eastern Van province.

The anti-narcotics branch found 122 kg (269 lb.) grams of heroin in a truck.

The driver of the four-wheeler gave leads to a second operation, in which 161 kg (355 lb.) of heroin was found. At least three people were also detained.

*Writing by Dilan Pamuk in Ankara