Drug bust in SE Turkey raises suspicions of PKK links

DİYARBAKIR - Anatolia News Agency

DHA Photo

Police forces confiscated nearly four tons of cannabis and other substances used to make drugs in a recent raid in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır’s Lice district, raising suspicions that the materials belong to militants, Anatolia news agency reported today.
 
Police forces launched the operation, which resulted in the destruction of nearly 70 million Turkish Liras worth of drugs, following a tip regarding cannabis fields in local areas. Several weapons and ammunition were also confiscated in the search.
 
Turkish media reports quickly hinted at alleged connections between the drugs and the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK). Officials also stated that the bust was part of ongoing operations against PKK's drug trade.
 
The PKK is allegedly mining the roads leading to its cannabis fields in Southeast Anatolia, security sources have said in the past weeks. A similar practice is known to be used in Columbia as well.
 
According to the sources, the PKK encouraged the planting of cannabis in the highlands of Diyarbakır’s Lice, Kulp, Hani, Dicle, Eğil, Kocaköy, Hazro and Silvan districts and their villages. The highlands also provide shelter for members of the group, the sources said.