(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) Baku, Azerbaijan, April 19
By Rufiz Hafizoglu – Trend:
Turkey has announced the detention of a vessel with 5 tons of drugs in international waters off the coast of Libya in the Mediterranean Sea, Trend reports referring to local media.
It is reported that the ship with drugs sailed under the Turkish flag. 14 crew members were on board, including a woman.
The operation, reportedly is the biggest drug bust in Turkey's modern history.
It is reported that this operation in the fight against drug trafficking is the largest in Turkey's modern history.
According to media reports, the operation was carried out by the Coast Guard Command and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Turkey.
Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu stated earlier that the country faces a serious threat and should toughen up the fight against drug addiction and drug trafficking.
"The number of deaths from drug overdoses is increasing every year," said the minister.
The minimum age for Turkish citizens starting to use drugs is 13 years, with 36 years being the average, and 65 being the maximum. Addicts in Turkey aged 15-24 years old make up 2.9 percent of the country's population, with those 25-44 years old making up 2.8 percent and those 45-64 years old making up 2.3 percent of the population.
There are 22 rehabilitation centers for drug addicts in Turkey.
Over the past 4 years, more than 300,000 people have been detained in Istanbul for using and selling drugs.
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