ANKARA, April 15 (Xinhua) -- A total of 234 suspects were detained in a drug trafficking bust carried out in simultaneous operations early Tuesday by the police teams of Türkiye, Europol, Belgium, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands.

In his post on social media platform X, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said that 225 suspects were apprehended in Türkiye and nine internationally, 10 of whom are listed on Interpol red notices.

The operation, named "Orkinos-Bulut," targeted four major international drug trafficking organizations, he said.

The detainees are accused of crimes, including international drug trafficking, money laundering, homicide, kidnapping, and blackmail, according to the minister.

The groups were also involved in the production and distribution of cocaine from South America, heroin from Iran and Afghanistan, and synthetic drugs like ecstasy and skunk from Europe, the minister explained, adding that they also trafficked precursor chemicals from East Asia to European countries for drug manufacturing.

Authorities confiscated assets worth 13 billion Turkish lira (approximately 341 million U.S. dollars), including properties, vehicles, business shares, and bank accounts, he noted.

Turkish police collaborated with Europol for eight months to uncover the organization's structure, connections, and operational methods, the minister said.

Simultaneous raids were conducted in 20 Turkish provinces, with international cooperation from law enforcement agencies in various countries, according to Yerlikaya. Enditem

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