Turkey reports 91.7 billion TL in smuggling and drug seizures

Turkish authorities have reported significant successes in anti-smuggling and anti-narcotics operations across the country. The Ministry of Trade announced that in the first nine months of 2026, Customs Enforcement teams conducted 4,890 operations, seizing commercial goods and narcotics valued at 91.72 billion TL. This included 52.6 tons of drugs, alongside large quantities of electronic goods, medical supplies, and machinery.

In Istanbul, law enforcement efforts have yielded massive results. Between January and October 2026, police seized over 15 tons of narcotics and 27.7 million pills. Following legal proceedings, approximately 10 tons of drugs seized between 2023 and 2026 were destroyed by incineration at a local factory. Istanbul Police Chief Selami Yıldız emphasized a commitment to breaking the entire criminal chain, from street dealers to major traffickers.

At major transit hubs, including Istanbul Airport and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport, customs teams have seized 8.875 tons of narcotics through 253 separate incidents since the start of the year. Regional operations in Balıkesir and Düzce also contributed to the crackdown, with authorities seizing various drugs and tens of thousands of packs of smuggled cigarettes.