In a remarkable development that reflects the level of security coordination between the two sides, the security services in Turkey and Syria succeeded in seizing a huge shipment of narcotics, which was hidden inside a commercial ship that docked in the Syrian port of Latakia.
Cross-border intelligence cooperation
Turkish security sources told Anadolu Agency on Saturday that the operation was carried out in high-level coordination in which the Turkish intelligence service and the Customs Guard Directorate of the Turkish Ministry of Commerce participated, in field cooperation with the anti-narcotics units of the Syrian Ministry of Interior.
The raid resulted in the seizure of 236 kilograms of marijuana that were carefully hidden inside one of the containers on board.
Investigations revealed that Turkish intelligence had been following the ship's route since it set off from Southeast Asia.
According to security information, the ship took a long route that started from Asia to the port of Alexandria in Egypt, and then continued its journey to the Lebanese capital Beirut, before reaching its last stop in the port of Latakia, where the cargo was scheduled to be unloaded.
A blow to smuggling networks
Upon arrival at the Syrian port, accurate intelligence was shared with the Syrian authorities, enabling the successful implementation of the joint operation.
The operation is a major blow to international drug trafficking networks that exploit intercontinental shipping lanes to pass their poisons.
This security achievement comes at a time when the region is witnessing relentless efforts to combat organized crime and drug trafficking, and underscores the effectiveness of information coordination in thwarting major operations that threaten regional security.