TURKISH POLICE SEIZE 4.4 TONS OF MORPHINE BASE

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
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