The Turkish General Directorate of Security launched operations on Thursday night on predetermined centers of an international crime syndicate in Hatay province. In these operations, 7,326,000 Captagon pills hidden in 300 truck oil filters were confiscated. Security sources stated that the pills were produced in Syria and were expected to be sent to Gulf countries.
Meanwhile, the anti-narcotics department organized a simultaneous operation on a storage facility in Hatay city center. It is stated that 3, 600,000 Captagon capsules, packed for sale, were found.
Police detained two Turkish citizens and one Syrian citizen who coordinated the transport of Captagon from Syria to Turkey.
It is stated that the 10,926,000 (1 ton, 831 kilogram) Captagon capsule seizure is the largest ever in Turkey.
Police launched an investigation in coordination with international authorities to ensure continuity of the operation.
Captagon is the brand name for the amphetamine phenethylline, a synthetic stimulant. It is especially popular in the Middle East.
While the Gulf countries' appetite for the pill is driving demand, much of the Captagon is produced in Syria. Since 1999, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's (UNODC's) annual reports have mentioned Syria as a production and transit point for Captagon to Europe, Turkey, and Lebanon.
