Over 100 kilograms of heroin seized in east Turkey

More than 190 kilograms (418 pounds) of heroin were seized during anti-drug operations across Turkey, local police department and security sources said on Tuesday.

In a statement, police in the eastern Van province said the operation targeted drug traffickers who are funding the PKK/KCK terrorist group in the Başkale and Edremit districts.

In Başkale, anti-drug teams seized more than 92 kg (202 lbs.) of heroin from a vehicle on the Van-Hakkari highway.

During the operation, seven suspects were also apprehended on charges of drug trafficking, the statement said.

In Edremit, police confiscated over 8.8 kg (17.6 lbs.) of heroin hidden in a pillow in a truck.

Two suspects, including the truck driver, were also detained during the operation, the statement added.

Separately, in an operation based in the Aegean İzmir province, security forces arrested 22 suspects including a policeman and a prison officer, according to a police source who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to media.

Sniffer dogs assisted during the simultaneous operations against street drug dealers in eight provinces of İstanbul, Antalya, Diyarbakır, Muğla, Kayseri, Gaziantep, and Manisa as well as İzmir.

During the raid, the police seized 79 kg (174 lbs.) of marijuana, 13 kg (28.6 lbs.) of synthetic drugs, and 1,180 drug pills, the source added.