Some 1.5 tons of heroin that was seized on Jan. 23 in Turkey’s eastern province of Erzurum was the largest amount seized in a single anti-drug operation in the country, Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu has said.

“On Jan. 23, our security forces have conducted a very successful operation in Erzurum. With this successful operation, they have seized 1 ton and 535 kilograms of heroin, breaking a new record in the Republic history,” Soylu said on Jan. 27 while addressing a meeting in the southern province of Antalya.

The minister said that not only the person who was carrying the drugs was captured, but also the “leader” of the relevant drug ring was captured while he was trying to flee Turkey from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Aiport.

“The leader of the crime ring was yesterday evening [on Jan. 26] was captured in Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Aiport while trying to flee [the country], and he was blindfold brought to Erzurum and handed over to security forces,” Soylu said.

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http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/1-5-tons-of-heroin-seized-in-turkeys-biggest-bust-140805

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