Over 270 kilograms of heroin seized in Turkey

By Sezgin Pancar and Ozkan Bilgin

MERSIN / VAN, Turkey

Over 272 kilograms (nearly 600 pounds) of heroin were seized in anti-narcotics operations in southern and eastern Turkish provinces, according to security sources on Friday.

In southern Mersin province, Anti-Narcotics Branch teams of the provincial security directorate seized more than 150 kilograms (330 pounds) of heroin hidden in a truck's trailer, according to a security source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Teams stopped a truck over suspicion and found the drugs with the help of a sniffer dog.

The driver was arrested, the source added.

Also, in the eastern province of Van’s Baskale district, 122 kilograms (268 pounds) of heroin was confiscated, said the provincial gendarmerie command.

The operation -- aided by two sniffer dogs -- was conducted in Esmepinar neighborhood near the Iranian border, the command said.

Investigation into the incident is ongoing.