Turkey seizes 13 tons of drugs in first narcotics raid in international waters

Turkey has seized at least 13 tons of drugs in powdered form from a Bolivia-registered ship in its first-ever anti-narcotics operation in international waters near Libya's Tobruk Port. 

The operation was launched after the Counter-Smuggling and Organized Crime Department of the Turkish police received a tip that a Bolivian ship was involved in drug trafficking on international waters. 

The department contacted the Turkish Coast Guard Command, which determined the ship's location on Jan. 3 and began pursuing it with a plane and a ship. 

Turkey was authorized to conduct an operation following approval from the Interior Ministry and authorization from the Bolivian government in line with both countries' responsibilities stemming from the 1988 United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

Thirteen tons of marijuana in powder form was seized amid a continuing investigation on the ship. 

The Turkish Coast Guard is set to bring the ship to Turkish territorial waters to finalize legal procedures. 

The anti-drug operation was Turkey's first security operation in international waters, the Interior Ministry said, adding that the amount of drugs seized was the largest ever in a single operation.In Photos: Cities across the world celebrate New YearIn Photos: Snow produces picturesque scenes across Turkey after days of stormsIn Photos: At least 27 refugees' bodies wash ashore on Turkey's Aegean coast In photos: Turkey commemorates Rumi with 'Night of Union' ceremony in KonyaIn Photos: Ta?yaran Valley in Aegean region to become nature parkPictures released by the Armed Forces depict destruction in southeastern Sur amid clashes, curfewIn Photos: Marks of violence visible across...