ISTANBUL, Feb 13 (NNN-TRT) – Turkish authorities detained 40 suspects, including alleged members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and the Gulen movement, in a series of anti-narcotics and counter-terrorism operations, in the western province of Izmir.
The coordinated raids, conducted by counter-narcotics, intelligence, counter-terrorism, and anti-smuggling units, targeted locations in central Izmir and the Menemen district.
Authorities seized 8,277 synthetic drug pills, 77 grams of marijuana, four unlicensed pistols, and a rifle during the raids. The detained individuals are believed to be involved in drug-related activities, linked to both the PKK and the Gulen movement.
The PKK, recognised as a terrorist group by Türkiye, the United States, and the European Union, has been waging an insurgency against the Turkish state for over 30 years.
Türkiye accuses Fethullah Gulen, the influential Turkish cleric, who lived in self-exile in the United States, until his death in Oct, last year, and his network, of orchestrating the failed coup attempt in July, 2016. The attempt resulted in the deaths of 249 people and left around 2,200 others injured.– NNN-TRT
