Turkish authorities have seized nearly 52 kilograms of cocaine that was found wrapped in plastic and tied to the chain of a ship’s anchor.
The operation was carried out on board the Liberian-flagged M/V Berge Torre while anchored at Adana Yumurtalik in Iskenderun Bay.
AIS data shows the Berge Torre departed Puerto Bolívar, Colombia on October 19.
Video released by Turkey’s Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya showed divers inspecting the propeller, rudder and anchor of the ship. He added the ship’s captain and some of its crew were being questioned in the probe, but it was unclear if they had any involvement in the smuggling operation.
“I want our dear nation to know that we will not tolerate poison dealers,” said Yerlikaya. “OUR PORTS ARE IN CLOSE MONITORING.”
NARKOGÜÇ Operasyonlar? kapsam?nda ?skenderun Körfezin Adana Yumurtal?k aç?klar?nda demirleyen Liberya band?ral? BERGE TORRE isimli Kuru Yük Gemisinde 5?1? Kilo 7?5?0? Gr Kokain ele geçirildi.
— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) November 14, 2023
Gemi kaptan?, kaptan yard?mc?lar? ve mürettebattan olu?an 2?6? ?üpheli ?ahs?n… pic.twitter.com/A1QXnrSqV8
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