US embassy cable - 04ISTANBUL610

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISTANBUL 000610 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/06/2014 
TAGS: PGOV, TU, Istanbul 
SUBJECT: TURKISH POLICE SEIZE 4.4 TONS OF MORPHINE BASE 
 
 
Classified By: Consul General David L. Arnett for reasons 1.4 (b) and ( 
 
 
d). 
 
 
1. (C) Summary: Turkish National Police (TNP) seized 4.4 tons 
of morphine base, with an estimated value in Turkey of USD 
15.5 million, in a raid on an Istanbul warehouse on March 29. 
 The group targeted in the recent raid has connections to 
other narcotics trafficking groups in Turkey and elsewhere. 
TNP continue to investigate, and may yet succeed in further 
dismantling this network.  End Summary. 
 
 
2. (C) In early 2004, the Turkish National Police (TNP) 
received information indicating the possible presence of a 
multi-ton quantity of morphine base being stored in Istanbul. 
 Acting on intelligence, TNP officers raided a warehouse in 
an industrial park located in Istanbul on March 29.  Inside 
the warehouse was a truck which contained 4.4 tons of 
morphine base.  The morphine was produced in Afghanistan 
during the period of Taliban rule, and may have been 
trafficked to Turkey through Iran.  The intended wholesale 
point of sale was most likely Western Europe.  The 
unprocessed morphine base has a value in Turkey of 
approximately USD 15.5 million.  If processed, the morphine 
has a wholesale value of USD 50-60 million. 
 
 
3. (C) Prior to the raid, TNP had set up long-term 
surveillance of the group operating the warehouse, with the 
goal of determining how many people were connected to the 
trafficked morphine.  Five Turkish nationals were arrested as 
a result.  All five are native-born residents of Istanbul, 
with three from the same family. 
 
 
4. (C) Information on the raid was released to the press on 
March 31.  Press have reported a linkage between this 
trafficking group and Cetinkaya, who was previously linked in 
the press to numerous large heroin seizures.  Post assesses 
that this linkage seems accurate. 
 
 
5. (C) DEA Istanbul reports that in subsequent conversation 
with TNP officials, the TNP have indicated that they are now 
targeting organizations, and not just trying to seize illicit 
drugs.  TNP has indicated that they are now placing greater 
resources into follow-up on successful operations, seeking to 
identify the larger network facilitating drug trafficking. 
 
 
6. (C) COMMENT: This latest seizure, coupled with that of 
over a ton of heroin earlier this year, illustrates the 
initial success of the TNP's new strategy.  Officials 
realize, however, that these early successes have just begun 
to scratch the suface of this city's and country's 
trafficking problem.  END COMMENT. 
ARNETT