Nearly 80 suspects held across Turkey in anti-drug ops

By Canan Tukelay

AFYONKARAHISAR, Turkey

At least 78 suspects were arrested in anti-drug operations across Turkey on Monday, according to security sources.

In the western Afyonkarahisar province, police apprehended 60 suspects on charges of drug manufacturing and trafficking, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

The suspects, who were arrested in simultaneous operations across the province, were also charged with buying and possessing drugs.

Eighteen of the suspects were remanded in custody, while the other 42 were released.

Separately, anti-drug teams rounded up 18 people in the northwestern Bursa and Tekirdag provinces for alleged drug trafficking.

In the eastern Van province, the gendarmerie nabbed three suspects as part of anti-drug and smuggling operations.