Ankara: Turkish security authorities announced on Monday the arrest of 807 individuals accused of drug trafficking in a 15-day nationwide security operation. The Turkish Interior Ministry stated that the intensive operation targeted drug traffickers in 71 Turkish provinces, resulting in the arrest of 1,368 suspects. Of those arrested, 807 were remanded in custody, while 187 were placed under judicial supervision. Legal proceedings are ongoing for the remaining suspects.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the operation resulted in the seizure of a massive 843.5 kilograms of narcotics, along with 2,312,455 narcotic pills, making it one of the largest counter-narcotics operations the country has witnessed this year in terms of geographical scope. The Turkish Interior Ministry stated that the security operations involved 1,915 security teams comprising 4,826 personnel, along with 14 helicopters and police dogs trained to detect drugs.

The ministry emphasized that this narcotic substance is nothing but “black blood that fuels numerous crimes,” and that security forces will continue their campaigns to protect Turkish society from this scourge.