Largest Drug Stash Ever Seized In Operation In Southeastern Turkey

Twenty-three tons of marijuana have been seized in the southeastern Turkish province of Diyarbakır, the largest amount of drugs confiscated in a single operation in the nation's history.



The operation launched in recent days in the village of Lice in Diyarbakır led to the seizure of 23 tons of marijuana stored in large containers. A reported 10.5 tons of marijuana had been seized in a previous operation launched at the same spot on Sept. 14.



The operation was conducted by the Diyarbakır Police Department's anti-smuggling and organized crime and gendarmerie teams. Since the target of the operation was a region of high terrorist activity, the operation was carried out backed by air support. After cordoning off the area, 24 teams raided seven addresses.



According to police reports, the drug traffickers had packed the drugs -- which they aimed to sell in the winter -- and put the packages in containers to be buried in the ground.



The seized drugs, reportedly worth TL 6 million, were taken to the Diyarbakır Police Department's storage area by trucks.



The operation comes as a slap in the face for drug traffickers and marks a record for the largest amount of drugs confiscated in Turkey. (Cihan/Today's Zaman)



SHOTLIST



TURKEY, DIYARBAKIR, 02 OCT 2013



VAR of police operation agains drug dealers



VAR of secret stores



VAR of marijuana fields



Statements of Diyarbakır governor Cahit Kıraç



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