ISTANBUL, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- Turkish and Spanish authorities seized 1.7 tons of cocaine concealed in fossil flour and detained three suspects, Türkiye's Trade Ministry announced Tuesday.
The ministry said the drugs were discovered in a container shipped from South America to Spain via Istanbul. Turkish customs inspection revealed cocaine soaked into fossil flour, and prosecutors opened an investigation.
To uncover the drug smuggling network, officials carried out a controlled delivery, allowing the container to proceed to Barcelona under joint surveillance by the Turkish Customs Enforcement and Spain's National Police.
The police tracked the shipment and detained the three suspects in Madrid as they attempted to retrieve the narcotics.
"The operation stands as a notable example of international cooperation in the global fight against drug trafficking," the ministry said. ■
