Executive Summary
- The 2025 Drug Report identifies Turkey as a growing hub for drug production, transit, and consumption.
- Methamphetamine seizures increased by 54 percent in 2024, with new production centers found in Istanbul.
- Synthetic pharmaceutical seizures surged by 227 percent, totaling nearly 94.7 million tablets.
- Cocaine trafficking through Turkish ports rose, with seizures increasing by 23.2 percent.
Turkey has evolved into a multi-faceted hub for global drug trafficking, serving not only as a transit corridor but increasingly as a destination market and production center, according to the 2025 Drug Report released by the General Directorate of Security Narcotics Crimes Department. The comprehensive report details a significant shift in trafficking patterns, highlighting the country’s expanded role in the movement of cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin.
According to the General Directorate of Security, cocaine shipments are entering Turkey primarily from South America through major maritime ports, including Istanbul and Mersin. Methamphetamine is reportedly being smuggled across the borders with Iran and Iraq. The report also notes that heroin continues to originate primarily from Afghanistan, utilizing Turkey as a critical bridge to European markets.
Law enforcement data indicates a sharp rise in seizures during 2024. Authorities confiscated nearly 34 tons of methamphetamine, marking a 54 percent increase from the previous year, while cocaine seizures rose by 23.2 percent to just over 3 tons. The report specifically identifies the emergence of methamphetamine conversion centers, particularly in Istanbul, signaling a transition toward domestic production. Additionally, synthetic pharmaceutical seizures saw the most dramatic spike, with authorities recovering 94.7 million tablets—a 227 percent increase year-over-year.
The report further outlines the specific routes and methods used by traffickers. While the traditional Balkan route remains the primary corridor for Afghan-sourced heroin, cocaine traffickers are increasingly utilizing Turkish ports as alternative gateways to Europe. Investigators also discovered nearly one ton of cocaine hidden in legal cargo using chemical impregnation methods in Istanbul and Antalya. Furthermore, Captagon trafficking has intensified near the Syrian border, with production facilities identified in Hatay and Kilis.
Strategic Trafficking Implications
The findings of the 2025 Drug Report suggest a fundamental shift in regional security dynamics, as Turkey transitions from a logistical bridge to an active production site and consumer market. The identification of methamphetamine conversion labs and the substantial increase in domestic drug-related deaths—up 42.3 percent in 2024—indicate that international trafficking networks are embedding deeper infrastructure within the country. This evolution presents complex challenges for law enforcement, necessitating a dual focus on border security and domestic dismantling of production facilities. As judicial proceedings move forward regarding the 375,000 suspects recorded in 2024, it is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
