Turkey seizes 80 kg of illicit drugs

ANKARA

Turkish security forces seized 80 kilograms (176 pounds) of illicit drugs across the country on Wednesday.

In the eastern province of Van, 51 kg (112 lbs.) of heroin were seized by gendarmerie forces, the provincial governorate said in a statement.

In another operation, a total of 12,183 drugs were seized by the police in Turkey’s southernmost province of Hatay, according to security sources.

Separately, The National Defense Ministry said on Twitter that 29 kg (63 lbs.) of drugs along with a total of 11,160 packs of contraband cigarettes were also seized in operations in Van and Hatay borders.

Two suspects in Van and five in Hatay were arrested in the operations.