The detainees are suspected of being involved in a scheme that produces and traffics cocaine, heroin, and other drugs


(Reuters): Turkish authorities arrested 234 people in an operation coordinated with four European countries against criminal drug-trafficking organisations, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on Tuesday.
"We have detained 234 high-level crime organisation leaders, 225 from inside Turkey and nine from abroad," Yerlikaya said, adding 10 of the suspects were sought with Interpol red notices.
Speaking in Ankara, he said those detained had been sought for crimes including international drug trafficking, money laundering, homicide, kidnapping, threats and blackmail.
Police in Belgium, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands and Turkey carried out coordinated operations, Yerlikaya said, adding the detainees were suspected of involvement in a scheme producing and trafficking cocaine, heroin, and other drugs.
The operation seized hundreds of properties, vehicles, company stakes and bank accounts with a value totalling 13 billion lira ($341 million), he said.
Turkish police worked for eight months with the European Union's Europol agency to map out and decipher the organisation's secrets, contacts and methods, he added.

Bulls' White (calf) to miss at least 2 more weeks
- 9 hours ago
Territorial violation to be met with firm response: COAS Munir
- 18 hours ago
CR450: World’s fastest bullet train hits track for trials in China
- 20 hours ago
PM Shehbaz launches ‘Inspire Initiative’ to nurture semiconductor talent
- 18 hours ago

Most animals on this island nation are found nowhere else on Earth. And now they’re vanishing.
- 8 hours ago
Coca-Cola tops quarterly revenue estimates on steady soda demand
- 17 hours ago
Maharaj takes seven as South Africa dismiss Pakistan for 333
- 17 hours ago

There should be no war with Pakistan, issues can be resolved through trade, Trump tells Modi
- 3 hours ago
Trump threatens Hamas amid push on next Gaza truce steps
- 18 hours ago
Former French president Sarkozy starts 5-year prison sentence
- 17 hours ago

5.3 magnitude earthquake rocks Islamabad, parts of KP and Punjab
- 14 hours ago

Why many transgender Americans are preparing to flee the country
- 8 hours ago