"Major Drug and Smuggling Operations at Customs Gates"

The Customs Enforcement teams of the Ministry of Trade seized 284 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride, 80 kilograms of cocaine in Edirne and Istanbul, and approximately 24 million lira worth of illegal electronic cigarettes at the Hamzabeyli Customs Gate.

WHAT CAME OUT OF THE TRUCK STOPPED ON SUSPICION WAS SURPRISING

According to a statement from the Ministry, the Customs Enforcement teams continue their fight against smuggling. As a result of risk analysis and targeting studies, the teams of the Esendere Customs Enforcement Smuggling and Intelligence Directorate, under the coordination of the Narcotic Crimes Department of the General Directorate of Customs Enforcement, achieved another record drug seizure. A truck that was about to enter Turkey was put under scrutiny at the Esendere Customs Gate. After customs procedures, the vehicle was directed to the x-ray scanning system, where suspicious density was detected in the trailer. Subsequently, a detailed search was conducted by the teams. As a result of the searches, 284 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride, worth 600 million TL, was seized, hidden in bags of various shapes and mixed with other items.

ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE OPERATION

The Customs Enforcement teams' other operation targeted electronic cigarette smugglers. As a result of risk analysis and targeting studies by the Hamzabeyli Customs Enforcement Smuggling and Intelligence Regional Directorate teams, two trucks entering Turkey at the Hamzabeyli Customs Gate were closely monitored and directed to the x-ray scanning system. Following the scanning, detailed searches were conducted upon observing suspicious densities. As a result of meticulous and careful searches on the vehicles, 24,000 illegal electronic cigarettes were detected, in addition to the items declared as auto parts. The electronic cigarettes, which were attempted to be smuggled into the country and valued at 24 million TL, were confiscated. Finally, the Customs Enforcement teams conducted operations against drug traffickers in Edirne and Istanbul. As a result of successful operations, 80 kilograms of cocaine were seized. An investigation has been initiated regarding the incidents.