Security forces in Istanbul seized 57 kilos (125 pounds) of heroin bound for Germany while detaining nine suspected drug dealers, the Anatolia news agency reported Saturday.
The haul was discovered when police, acting on a tip, stopped and searched a lorry in the district of Gaziosmanpasa, on Istanbul's European side, the agency said, quoting a police statement.
It did not specify when the operation took place.
The western market value of the heroin, which had reportedly been smuggled from Iran, was estimated at around 1.5 million dollars.
Turkey lies on a major drug smuggling route between Asia and Europe.
Since January, Turkish police have seized more than four tons of heroin in operations across the country -- ANKARA (AFP)
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