ARTVIN: The Ministry of Customs and Trade has announced that an estimated TL 22 million worth of illicit cigarettes were seized in operations.
In a statement, the ministry said five trucks that entered Turkey from Georgia carrying 3.5 million packs of smuggled cigarettes — sent in two batches — were detected near Hopa, in the northeastern province of Artvin, between Aug. 3 and 4. This is the largest amount that was seized at one time, the statement added, underling that cigarettes were worth some TL 22 million.
Carried out jointly by the Artvin Smuggling and Customs Enforcement Intelligence Directorate and the provincial police department, the start of the operation dates back to three months ago, when officials first obtained intelligence about intended smuggling, the statement went on to say.
A total 15 people, including five customs personnel suspected of helping the smugglers, were detained after the operation.
