ANKARA, Dec. 8 (Xinhuanet) -- Turkish police seized 566.3 kg heroin in the southern city of Mersin and its commercial capital Istanbul, Mersin deputy police chief Suleyman Ekizer said Wednesday.

    Istanbul and Mersin security forces staged a joint operation against illicit drug trafficking and confiscated 488.3 kg heroin in Mersin and 78 kg in Istanbul, Ekizer was quoted by Anatolia News Agency as saying.

    He said two suspects were arrested in Mersin and three others in Istanbul, adding that a manhunt was underway to capture four other suspects.

    Located on the crossroads of Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean Sea, Turkey is considered by drug traffickers as an important channel of heroin destined for Europe. Enditem ¡¡