site.btaTurkiye Seizes Drugs Worth EUR 31.2 Mln at Borders and Airports Since Start of 2026

Since the beginning of 2026, Turkish customs authorities have seized drugs worth TRY 1.6 billion or about EUR 31.2 million, the Turkish Ministry of Trade reported on Sunday. The data covers the border crossings of Gurbulak at the Turkish-Iranian border, Kapikule on the border with Bulgaria near Edirne, Kapikoy near the border with Georgia, Hamzabeyli at the Bulgarian border near Lesovo, and Ipsala on the border with Greece, as well as the port of Mersin and the airports in Istanbul and Antalya.

Customs officers have seized and destroyed 378.9 kg of cannabis, 117.4 kg of synthetic drugs in tablet form, including 280,000 methadone tablets, 225.5 kg of methamphetamine, over 7.5 kg of opium, and 3.1 kg of cocaine. The drug seizures were carried out after thorough inspection of vehicles and shipments considered risky, using X-ray and other non-contact drug detection systems. Specially trained dogs also participated in the operations.

The Ministry also reported that in 2025, 33.6 tonnes of narcotics worth TRY 44.9 billion or around EUR 875.1 million were seized at Turkish border checkpoints.