Simultaneous Operations at Istanbul Airport and Gürbulak
Customs Enforcement teams affiliated with the Ministry of Trade seized large quantities of narcotic substances at Istanbul Airport and the Gürbulak Customs Gate as part of operations conducted against drug traffickers. It was announced that the total market value of the seized drugs amounted to 1 billion 945 million Turkish lira.
Mexico and Iran Routes Under Scrutiny
According to a statement from the Ministry, during operations carried out in the first days of the year;
At Istanbul Airport, 443 kilograms of methamphetamine were seized in a cargo shipment that arrived from Mexico and was planned to be sent in transit to Australia,
At the Gürbulak Customs Gate, a significant quantity of narcotic substances was seized in a truck entering Türkiye from Iran, including 63 kilograms of liquid methamphetamine, 33 kilograms of cannabis, and 25 kilograms of opium gum.
Detailed Searches with X-Ray and Narcotics Dogs
The statement emphasised that the operations were carried out as a result of effective risk analysis and targeting efforts. It was noted that vehicles and shipments assessed as risky were subjected to detailed searches using X-ray scanning systems and narcotics detector dogs.
“The Determined Fight Will Continue in 2026”
In its statement, the Ministry of Trade pointed out that drug trafficking is one of the most important sources of financing for international criminal organisations and included the following remarks:
“Combating drug trafficking is our priority target within the scope of the fight against international criminal organisations, particularly in preventing the financing of terrorism and money laundering. Our Customs Enforcement Organisation will continue this determined struggle uninterruptedly in 2026.”
