Turkish police arrest 5 in 1.3-ton heroin, cannabis bust in Istanbul

Istanbul police Thursday seized some 1,350 kilograms (2,976 pounds) of illegal drugs including heroin and extra-strong skunk cannabis in separate operations across the city.

Istanbul Governor Ali Yerlikaya said on Twitter that at least five people were arrested during the large-scale bust.

The anti-drug police squad confiscated a total of 850 kg (1,873.92 pounds) of heroin in Istanbul's northernmost Sarıyer and easternmost Sultanbeyli districts, also nabbing two suspects, according to Yerlikaya.

He said that they also seized 500 kg (1,102 pounds) of skunk weed in a lorry and three suspects were arrested over trading drugs, without giving further information about its location.

Last week, Turkish police confiscated more than 1.5 tons of heroin in the eastern province of Erzurum, marking the largest heroin haul in the country's history.

According to police data, Turkish security forces have seized a total of 17.3 tons of heroin in 2018, arresting more than 1,500 suspects.