İstanbul police bust 738 kg of methamphetamine

In an operation carried out yesterday by the İstanbul Narcotics Division, under the decision of the Büyükçekmece Public Prosecutor's Office, two addresses in Büyükçekmece and Beylikdüzü were raided, resulting in the confiscation of 733 kilograms of liquid and 5 kilograms of solid methamphetamine.

The operation also led to the seizure of 43 kilograms and 380 grams of acetone, a substance used in drug manufacturing, along with 2 precision scales, various materials, and a sum of 176,300 Turkish lira, AA reported.

During the operation, three individuals of Iranian nationality, A.T., A.R., and M.L., were taken into custody.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on his social media account today that drug operations had been conducted in 16 cities, including Istanbul, resulting in the detention of a total of 99 individuals.

According to the statement from the Ministry of Interior, the number of individuals imprisoned or convicted of drug-related crimes has risen from 36,000 to 128,000 in the past 7 years. According to data from the Ministry of Justice, the total prison population is 341,497, indicating that approximately one-third of inmates are incarcerated for drug-related offenses. (AS/VK)