The operation came after the US labeled senior PKK members Murat Karayılan, Ali Rıza Altun and Zübeyir Aydar significant foreign narcotics traffickers. Mehmet K. was reportedly called to the PKK headquarters to give an account but, afraid of being killed, allegedly fled to Greece with 150,000 euros on his person.
Security sources speaking to the Anatolia news agency said they had launched a comprehensive operation in the coastal city of Limassol targeting the PKK after increasing complaints came from Kurds living in southern Cyprus.
Police tried to stop a suspicious car in a traffic control carried out in districts where Kurds live, but the people in the car did not heed the officers' calls to stop. Following a long pursuit, the police detained Ahmet K., the son of Mehmet K., and two other PKK militants. After a search of the car, 10 kilograms of heroin, a G3 infantry rifle, two masks, a knife, a mobile phone and a considerable amount of money and important documents on the terrorist organization were found. The militants were arrested and sent to jail.
