Police officer, suspect killed in shootout during İstanbul drug raid

Photos: AA

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A drug raid in İstanbul turned deadly on Friday, as police and suspects exchanged fire, killing one officer and one suspect.

Acting on a tip-off, police stormed a house in the Kağıthane district where drugs were allegedly being produced. The suspects resisted with firearms, including long-barreled guns, triggering a shootout.

The governor's office said one of the two critically injured officers succumbed to his wounds. Another suspect was also fatally shot, while one was wounded and three were apprehended. Some suspects fled the scene, according to Anadolu Agency (AA).

The slain officer, Hakan Telli, will be honored at a ceremony today at the İstanbul Police Headquarters in Fatih. His body will then be flown to his hometown of Tokat for burial.

Turkey has seen a sharp rise in drug crimes in recent years. Data from the Ministry of Interior shows that as of January this year, about one-third of the country's 340,000 inmates were behind bars for drug offenses. Both state and international reports suggest that Turkey has become a transit point for global drug trade, as well as witnessing an increase in domestic drug consumption.

While armed violence between drug gangs and police is not very common, sporadic clashes break out during police operations. (AS/VK)