Istanbul Court Orders Arrest Of Three U.S. Citizens On Drug Smuggling Charges

ISTANBUL (CÝHAN) - An Istanbul court has ordered the arrest of 3 US citizens on charges of drug smuggling.
The three suspects, including 2 women, were transferred before Istanbul State Security Court on charges of drug smuggling following the completion of their interrogation by Istanbul Security Authority Anti-Smuggling Department.
Istanbul State Security Court ruled today for the arrests of Suzanne Kethleen Lutz, Shelly Annlantz and Alexana James on charges of organized drug smuggling and export.
Lutz and Annlantz were taken to Pasakapisi Women's Jail while James was sent to Bayrampasa Prison.
The three US citizens had been brought before Istanbul State Security Court on Friday in connection with last Monday's seizure of 25 kilos of cocaine at Istanbul Atatürk airport.
On Monday, Istanbul Airport Police seized 25.2 kilos of cocaine worth five million dollars hidden in a bag belonging to American citizen Suzanna Kathleen Lutz. It was the largest stash of drugs ever discovered at Istanbul's Atatürk Airport. Police also detained the two persons travelling with Suzanna Kathleen Lutz.
The detained US citizens had arrived in Istanbul from Brazil via Germany.