Turkish customs officials seized more than 33 tons of drugs in 2025, according to figures released by the Ministry of Trade, reflecting the scale of drugs passing through the country, the TRT724 news website reported.
Customs enforcement units from the Trade Ministry confiscated 33,647 kilograms of drugs during operations at border crossings, ports and airports, the ministry said. The estimated market value of the seized substances was about 44–45 billion Turkish lira ($1.02 billion).
The amount of drugs seized increased by 38 percent compared with the previous year, while the estimated value rose by 47 percent.
The data also show a broader upward trend in recent years. Authorities seized 24,313 kilograms of drugs at customs points in 2024, 11,976 kilograms in 2023 and 14,020 kilograms in 2022.
A large share of the confiscated drugs consisted of synthetic substances. Methamphetamine accounted for about 7.7 tons of the total, making it one of the most prominent drugs detected in recent operations.
Authorities also reported several major seizures, including 455 kilograms of heroin at İstanbul Airport and 1.15 tons of cannabis at the port of Tekirdağ.
The figures cover only drugs seized in customs and border operations and do not include confiscations made inside the country by the police, gendarmerie or coast guard.
Turkey has long been considered a key transit route for drugs moving from Afghanistan and other regions toward Europe. However, some indicators suggest the country may also be facing a growing domestic drug problem.
The rise in seizures may partly reflect improved enforcement technology and more intensive inspections. At the same time, the increasing quantities intercepted point to the continued strength of trafficking routes through the region and the growing presence of synthetic drugs in the market.
