Türkiye, Syria strike blow to international drug trade network PHOTO

A joint operation by Türkiye and Syria has uncovered an international drug trafficking route originating from Southeast Asia, culminating in the seizure of a large quantity of narcotics at the port of Latakia.

According to TRT Haber, the operation involved Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organisation, the Ministry of Trade, and Syrian anti-narcotics units. The coordinated raid targeted a vessel that had arrived in Latakia from Southeast Asia.

During the operation, authorities seized 236 kilograms of marijuana with an estimated value of around 300 million Turkish lira ($6.6 million).

MİT coordinated the operation as part of broader efforts to disrupt international drug trafficking networks. Intelligence findings indicated that the vessel carrying the narcotics had departed from Southeast Asia and made stops at the ports of Alexandria and Beirut before reaching Latakia.

Following the transfer of intelligence to Syrian authorities, local customs and anti-narcotics units conducted a detailed inspection of a container on board the vessel. The drugs were discovered concealed within the cargo.

Security sources assessed that the operation delivered a significant blow to an international drug trafficking network and highlighted the effectiveness of coordinated interagency and cross-border cooperation.

By Tamilla Hasanova