01.03.2025 11:10
In the Çengel-17 operation targeting a gang that camouflaged counterfeit alcohol with the label "Surface Cleaner" in four provinces centered around Bursa, 28 people were arrested. A total of 98,600 liters of ethyl alcohol were seized. With the coordination of the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a gendarmerie operation was carried out to prevent the deaths of hundreds of people from counterfeit alcohol.
Work has been initiated against individuals who are bringing counterfeit alcohol into the market by teams from the Bursa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the General Command of Gendarmerie, Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Department. As a result of intelligence operations carried out by the Bursa Provincial Gendarmerie Command, it was determined that ethyl alcohol was camouflaged with a "Surface Cleaner" label and distributed and sold nationwide via cargo and transportation vehicles.
APPROXIMATELY 100 THOUSAND LITERS
In the extensive investigation, teams reached 28 suspects and conducted 'Operation Cengel-17' in Istanbul, Kocaeli, and Tekirdağ, centered in Bursa. In the operation, 98,600 liters of ethyl alcohol, 102,162 labels, 3 distillation equipment, 2 filling machines, 398 liters of homemade alcohol, 1 unlicensed 9 mm pistol, and 1 unlicensed 7.65 mm pistol, along with many materials used in the production of alcoholic beverages, were seized at the addresses of the suspects and in the production warehouses where ethyl alcohol was manufactured. The arrested suspects were referred to the courthouse after their statements. Authorities stated that operations will continue uninterrupted.