POLICE IN ISTANBUL SEIZE 26 KILO OF HEROIN, ARREST TWO FOREIGNERS

ISTANBUL, Aug 26 (AFP) - Police in Istanbul have seized more than 26
kilograms (57 pounds) of heroin in two separate raids and arrested
nine people, including a Polish national and another foreigner, the
Anatolia news agency reported Wednesday. Narcotics agents found 20
kilograms of the drug in the secret compartment of a vehicle with
Polish license plates last Saturday, the police said in a statement.
The heroin was smuggled into the east and southeast of Turkey from
neighbouring countries and bound for Europe.

An unidentified Polish national and a Turk were arrested, Anatolia
said.

In another swoop on drug smugglers police found 6.5 kilograms of
heroin in a suburb of Istanbul. The seven people arrested in this raid
included a foreigner whose nationality was not disclosed. Turkey is an
important transit country for drugs coming from Iran and Afghanistan
and destined for the European market.

Checked-by: Rich O'Grady