Turkish police have detained an internationally wanted drug trafficking suspect, Mohamed Boulakhrif, in Istanbul.

The operation was carried out jointly by Turkish police and Türkiye’s National Intelligence Organisation, The Caspian Post reports, citing Turkish media.

According to investigators, the suspect had been using encrypted communication applications in an effort to evade surveillance and avoid detection by authorities.

The arrest took place in Istanbul’s Şişli district.

Following the operation, the suspect was taken to a police station, where procedural actions are currently continuing.