Turkish officials seize 304 kg of illicit drugs

ISTANBUL

Turkish customs officials on Tuesday seized 304 kilograms (670 pounds) of opium gum.

The drug bust was made in two separate operations in the southeastern province of Sirnak and Istanbul.

A truck was stopped at the Habur gate, which sits on the Turkish-Iraqi border, and 104 kg (nearly 230 lbs) of the illicit drugs were found in a steel safe.

Expanding the investigation, customs officials found out that more opium gum was smuggled in Turkey using the same method. Accordingly, they captured two more steel safes that contained 200 kg (440 lbs.) of the substance.

The drugs were reportedly being smuggled to Europe.

*Writing by Ahmet Gencturk