Turkish Gendarmerie seizes record 34 million drug pills in nationwide operations

In a major anti-drug operation spanning 23 provinces, the Turkish Gendarmerie seized 34 million 617,835 drug pills, marking the largest narcotics seizure by the agency in a single operation.

Dubbed "Narkocelik-49," the operation targeted drug manufacturers and dealers across the country.

Largest drug pill seizure in Istanbul

The Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command played a pivotal role in the operation, confiscating:

• 34,270,000 drug pills—the highest amount seized in one operation by the Gendarmerie,
• 4 kilograms (8.8 pounds) of methamphetamine
• 6 kilograms of heroin

Four suspects were arrested during the operation in Istanbul.

Narcotics police officers from the Anti-Narcotic Crimes Directorate with reflective vests, Türkiye, September 2024. (AA Photo)

Nationwide impact: Seizures, arrests

The coordinated operations, conducted under the supervision of the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the Gendarmerie’s Narcotics Crimes Department, yielded:

• 1 ton, 756 kilograms of narcotics,
• 995,000 cannabis and skunk roots
• 34,617,000 narcotic pills

Suspects detained:

• 58 individuals were apprehended, with 40 formally arrested.
• Judicial control decisions were issued for four suspects, while others remain under investigation.

Regional highlights of Narkocelik-49

Diyarbakir

• 1 ton, 365 kilograms of cannabis
• 544,000 skunk roots
• 451,000 cannabis roots
• Six suspects were detained, arrested

Antalya

• 36,000 narcotic pills,
• 12 kilograms of skunk
• 14 liters of liquid methamphetamine
• Four suspects were arrested

Hatay

• 136,000 drug pills
• 49 kilograms of marijuana
• One suspect was arrested

Van

• 82 kilograms of methamphetamine
• One suspect was detained.

Izmir

• 129,128 narcotic pills.
  Four suspects were apprehended.

Mersin

• 28, 870 drug pills
• Three suspects were arrested

Synthetic drugs fuel the urgency in Türkiye

Türkiye's war against drugs intensifies with record-breaking cocaine seizures and targeted raids, uncovering complex networks and connections, Türkiye, November 2024. (AA Photo)

Official statement: A call for vigilance

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya emphasized the importance of community involvement in combating drug abuse. "Drugs endanger the safety, health, and future of our nation. Let's fight together to keep our youth, who are our future, away from drugs," Yerlikaya said.

He also commended the Gendarmerie for their efforts, saying: "I congratulate our Chief Public Prosecutor's Offices who coordinated the operations and our Heroic Gendarmerie who carried out the operations. May God not let you touch a stone. Our nation's prayers are with you."