Turkey Cracks Down on Drug Trade, Detains Hundreds

Turkish authorities have intensified their fight against drug trafficking, arresting over 500 individuals in a nationwide operation. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced Wednesday that police seized more than 3.7 tons of narcotics and 861,000 drug pills during the raids.

The operation, dubbed “Narkocelik-32,” involved 3,250 officers across 59 provinces, including major cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.

Turkey has become a key transit point for drug smugglers targeting European markets. The government has escalated efforts to combat this issue since 2023.