Daijiworld Media Network - Ankara
Ankara, Feb 22: Turkish security forces have carried out a sweeping anti-narcotics operation across five provinces, detaining 346 suspects and confiscating substantial quantities of drugs and illegal weapons in a coordinated crackdown on organised crime. The large-scale raids, led by the Turkish Gendarmerie General Command, targeted trafficking networks operating in Adana, Balikesir, Nevsehir, Çanakkale and Bursa, reflecting Ankara’s intensified push against narcotics distribution channels.
The operation unfolded on February 21, 2026, with simultaneous raids at 93 separate addresses. A total of 635 personnel — including public security units, special commando teams and 13 trained narcotics detection dogs — took part in the coordinated action. Authorities said the raids were conducted in close coordination with regional chief prosecutors and anti-narcotics directorates, following months of technical and physical surveillance designed to document suspect activity and strengthen legal cases before arrests were made.
Security forces reported seizing more than 80,000 psychotropic pills, widely associated with illicit street sales, along with approximately 11 kilograms of various narcotics believed to be intended for regional distribution. Officers also confiscated unlicensed firearms, including pistols and hunting rifles, in addition to drug paraphernalia and precision scales allegedly used for packaging and trafficking. Officials noted that the presence of both drugs and weapons highlights the overlap between narcotics trafficking and other forms of organised criminal activity.
Law enforcement representatives described the operation as a significant disruption to regional supply chains, asserting that dismantling these networks would weaken the infrastructure supporting both urban and rural drug markets. Evidence gathered through surveillance and seizures is expected to play a key role in forthcoming prosecutions.
Türkiye has sustained an aggressive anti-drug campaign in recent years, carrying out repeated nationwide operations aimed at curbing trafficking and abuse. In one of the largest prior crackdowns, dubbed “Narkokapan-9,” authorities detained thousands of suspects and confiscated massive quantities of narcotics and illicit pills, underscoring the persistent scale of the challenge.
Strategically positioned between Europe and Asia, Türkiye remains a critical transit route for illegal substances moving across regions. This geographic reality has made drug enforcement a continuous priority for the government, which has emphasized a combination of strict punitive action, cross-agency coordination and preventive strategies to safeguard public health.
Officials have also highlighted the social dimension of the problem, warning that drug distribution networks pose serious risks to youth and community safety. Large pill seizures in particular have raised concerns about substances filtering into local neighborhoods and schools. Alongside enforcement efforts, authorities continue to call for public cooperation and intelligence-sharing, framing the fight against narcotics as both a security and societal responsibility.
The latest multi-province sweep signals Türkiye’s determination to confront drug trafficking through intelligence-driven operations, sustained surveillance and coordinated enforcement designed to dismantle criminal structures at every level.