Over 125 kg of heroin seized in eastern Turkey

VAN/ANTALYA, Turkey

Turkish police seized on Thursday some 127.1 kilograms (280.2 pounds) of heroin in two separate operations in the eastern province of Van.

Anti-drug police stopped a suspected minibus in the Edremit district of Van province, local police department said in a statement.

During the search, police found 75.6 kg of heroin in 145 packages hidden in the minibus and the driver was held.

In another operation, gendarmerie forces followed a car due to disobeying a stop signal in the province's Baskale district.

Later, 51.5 kg (113.5 pounds) of heroin were seized by forces in an abandoned automobile.

According to police data, Turkish security forces have caught a total of 17.3 tons of heroin in 2018, arresting more than 1,500 suspects.

Also, anti-drug police found 824 grams (29 ounces) of genetically modified drugs in a suitcase in the Antalya Airport, mediterranean province.

Police held an Iranian national who carried the drugs.

*Writing by Burak Bir