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The area of Turkey is 774,815 square kilometres. The actual land border length of Turkey is 2,875 kilometres in total and its coastlines (including islands) are another 8,333 kilometres. Turkey has two European and six Asian countries as neighbours along its land borders. According to the 1998 estimate, Turkey has a population of 63.4 million.

Opium: In Turkey, opium poppy has been cultivated for several centuries. Oil, pulp, leaves and seeds obtained from this plant, which are of high commercial value, are used in daily life. However, at the end of the 1960s, upon claims that heroin marketed in Europe was made from Turkish opium, cultivation of this plant was eventually prohibited in 1971 as an expression of the governments concern on this matter.

It became apparent however, that the ban did not result in the reduction of illicit drug trafficking. Thus, the government rescinded the ban in 1974 by a governmental resolution and, after the establishment of the required control system, cultivation was allowed according to Law No. 3298, which is subject to obtaining licenses in regions to be determined by the Council of Ministers, and also prohibits the scratching of the plant’s calyces. In Turkey, legal opium cultivation never goes to illicit manufacture, and it is evident that since 1974, opiate seizures in Turkey or elsewhere could not have originated from this country.

The places where the opium poppy is to be cultivated and the capsules to be produced have to be determined by the Council of Ministers depending on the agricultural and economic situation of the country, domestic need, exportation facilities, the existing stock situation and the need for the plants capsule. The Turkish Grain Board (TMO) supervises cultivation. After the separation of seeds from capsules, the latter is sent to the Opium Alkaloid Plant for processing. Once the domestic need of legal narcotic substances such as morphine and its derivatives are covered, the rest (95%) is exported.

Harvest and Production of Opiates in Turkey according to The International Narcotics Control Board (1995-2000)

Cannabis: Licensed regions for domestic Cannabis cultivation were defined, with the Regulation on Cultivation and Control of Cannabis, which appeared on the Official Gazette (No. 20672 dated 21.10.99) to prevent cannabis-related illicit drug production in Turkey. City and Town Directorates of the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs control Cannabis cultivation, effected under licenses issued pursuant to the provisions of the abovementioned regulation, to be used as leaf, paper, fuel, raw material, oil, or bird food.

According to Article 5 of the Regulation, cultivation and use of cannabis as either leaf or seed is allowed in the villages of 20 selected cities.

In 1997, cannabis was cultivated in an area of 12,848.282 acres in these designated areas, while unlicensed cultivation was detected in an area of 21 acres. Illegal cultivation was detected in an area of 4,793 acres in 38 cities where Cannabis cultivation is prohibited, and 2,025,641 bushes were seized.

Heroin: In addition to the struggle against morphine base, heroin and chemical trafficking, Turkey also executes dense intelligence and operational activities in order to determine and destroy clandestine heroin laboratories. In 1999, seven Heroin laboratories were identified and destroyed. In order to obtain more profits from the drug market, heroin is transported directly from Pakistani ports and airports to Europe, especially England, Italy, Germany and the Netherlands.

(II) Illicit Drug Trafficking

Due to its geographical position, Turkey has been a commercial and cultural bridge between East and West for several centuries. The route which is currently described as the Balkan route, is the European outlet of these historical routes which have existed since ancient times. Drug trafficking, which is similar to the silk and spice trade with respect to supple-demand structure, negatively effects Turkey because of its position.

Turkey is no longer the only transit country for drug flow and chemical smuggling. Due to the lack of technology, experience and legislative regulations in the former Soviet Union in recent years, smugglers seem to prefer the Northern Black Sea Route.[1]

Trafficking routes such as the Balkan and Northern Black Sea routes, have appeared over the Middle East from the European countries that are producing Acetic Anhydride. Thus, Turkey is subject to a reverse current in terms of chemical material trafficking. Turkey has been experiencing this “Adverse Flow” since 1998.

In 1999, legal proceedings were launched for 6209 persons involved in 2857 drug trafficking cases. In these cases, 5458 kg Hashish, 2249 kg Heroin, 288 kg morphine base, 234 kg Opium, 13kg Cocaine and 26296 kg Acetic Anhydride were seized.

It is observed that the number of persons apprehended for drug abuse is on the rise with a high level of acceleration. However, it has not yet reached an irreversible level. In order to better address this problem, the “Higher Committee of Follow-up and Direction for Struggle Against Drug Abuse”, as well as a relevant Subcommittee were established in 1997.

The main drug of abuse is hashish, with prevalent abuse in all provinces, especially Izmir. 70% of heroin addicts and 97% of cocaine addicts have been apprehended in Istanbul. This may suggest that drug abuse has not yet reached an alarming level in Turkey, except for Istanbul, as it is separate from other provinces with regard to geographical and demographical aspects.

(IV) Fight Against Illicit Drug Trafficking

In Turkey, the following law enforcement institutions are responsible for combating drug trafficking:

Dog Training Centre

In 1997, a national Dog Training Centre was established in Gölbasi – Ankara with the contribution of the Turkish Police Foundation, UNDCP and the European Commission, for the purpose of training narcotic substance detector dogs which are needed in anti-drug trafficking forces.

The dogs and their administrators, who are carefully chosen, are subjected to “Adaptation Training” lasting 10 weeks. Those who succeed in the training are then commissioned to rural area units.

In this Centre, in addition to meeting the trained dog requirement, detector dogs are trained for the Gendarmerie and Customs. Up to date, two dogs have been trained for the Gendarmerie and five for Customs.

In 19 provinces, 29 narcotic substance detector dogs are working with Turkish Law Enforcement Units.

Turkey attaches great importance to international co-operation. Intensive efforts are being made to develop international co-operation and create prospects of working commonly with the anti-narcotic units of other countries, in respect to bilateral and regional standpoints. To that effect, Turkey is an active participant in the following institutions.

Great efforts are being made to ensure and promote international cooperation in the struggle against drugs. Thus, in 1999 the Department of Anti-Smuggling and Organised Crime made 21 visits abroad and received 14 official visits and meetings from abroad.

For international co-operation, Turkey signed agreements, protocols, conventions and Memorandums of Understanding of varying contents with 44 countries. Direct liaison was established with the police units of the countries with which Turkey has contacts.

Drugs Liaison Officers (DLOs) assume the major role for the most swift and safe information exchange in international co-operation. The establishment of this employment system, which enables the direct information exchange between the relevant units of counties, was also recommended by the 1988 UN Convention on Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

(V) Treatment and Rehabilitation

AMATEM is the only treatment centre for drug addicts. It has been established within the BAKIRKÖY Mental Hospital in the outskirts of Istanbul. This mental Hospital, which is run under the Ministry of Health, is the largest of its kind in Turkey. It is planned to set up similar centres in five regions.

The General Directorate of Pharmaceuticals is also active in this area; it creates methods for the treatment of addicts.

(VI) Miscellaneous

It has recently come to the attention of Law Enforcement Officers that the level of abuse of volatiles and solvents such as thinner or glue, among homeless children in particular, is posing a great threat to common sanity and social well-being. It is strongly felt that efforts must be made to bring under control both the sale and use of such substances, which are uncontrolled and readily available at most shops. This issue has already been brought under the attention of relevant authorities. It is hoped that this matter will be managed with due seriousness.[2]

3. Report on the ECO-DCCU Mission to the DCCU Focal Points in the ECO Member States taken in April-May 2000.

4. Working Meeting On Illicit Drug Trafficking – Turkish National Police Department of Anti-Smuggling and Organised Crime, April 2000.

5. Summary Record of the ECO-DCCU Task Force Meetings. Tehran, 26 – 28 February 2000.

6. International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, 1999. Released by the Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. US Department of State, 1999.

[1] KCM Working Meeting on Illicit Drug Trafficking, April 2000.

[2] KCM Country Report, 1999