Following reports that there were drugs aboard a vessel in Muğla, the Turkish Coast Guard chased a 27-meter motor yacht when it attempted to leave Turkish waters. After reportedly ignoring visual and audible warnings, local media Milliyet reports the Coast Guard opened fire and crashed into the yacht during the night of July 26.
They were able to detain the four people on board the reportedly U.S.-flagged M/Y Belgor. Social media posts show the vessel suffered substantial damage from the incident.
Bodrum'da uyuşturucu kaçakçılığı yapan yat ile Türk Sahil Güvenliği arasında çatışma çıktı.
— Zulya (@Zulya48246965) July 28, 2022
Pert hale gelen yat Yunan karasularına girmeden yakalandı. pic.twitter.com/4BNnh9N3fl
The General Directorate of Security and Coast Guard Command originally received a report of the presence of drugs on a commercial vessel, Ocean Blue. While pursuing Ocean Blue, they discovered the yacht had docked near the commercial ship before leaving the Gulf of Güllük, which led to the chase involving four Coast Guard boats, a Coast Guard diving team, a Coast Guard plane, along with a helicopter belonging to the General Directorate of Security, according to local media IHA.
From investigations into both vessels, authorities found 60 kilograms of cocaine that had been thrown into the sea and 21 kilograms were seized during investigations carried out ashore. The investigation remains ongoing.