Drug operation in 52 cities

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In the scope of a new Ankara-centered drug operation covering 52 provinces including İstanbul, Ankara, İzmir, and Konya today (May 3) 524 people have been taken into custody.

The detained suspects are being charged with manufacturing and selling drugs. 

Joint operation with MASAK

Today's operation has been carried out with the coordination of the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) and Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office. 

The Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu made an announcement about the operation in the morning and stated that they had followed the managers, the sellers, the bagmen, and the producers for approximately one year, tracing the money. The Minister informed that the bank accounts and transactions of 598 suspects including leaders and managers of the criminal organization have been monitored for a long period of time. 

One third prisoners are drug offenders

Minister Soylu had announced on April 17 that the number of drug offenders who are in prison had increased from 36 thousand to 126 thousand in the last seven years.

The total number of prisoners is 341 thousand 497 according to the figures of the Ministry of Justice; therefore one-third of all prisoners in Turkey are in prison with drug-related charges. (AS/PE)