Massive smuggling operation from Greece to Türkiye: 13,000 phones, 10,000 e-cigarettes, 700 kilograms of herbal tea seized
A major smuggling attempt from Greece into Türkiye has been foiled, with authorities seizing nearly 13,000 mobile phones, 10,000 electronic cigarettes, and 700 kilograms of herbal tea in operations carried out in Edirne.
According to a statement from the Edirne Customs Enforcement Anti-Smuggling and Intelligence Directorate, teams launched an operation after receiving intelligence about an illegal shipment of mobile phones and e-cigarettes entering Türkiye from Greece.
A suspicious vehicle that entered Türkiye was physically tracked across Edirne and Gelibolu, a district in the province of Çanakkale. In coordinated raids, five suspects were detained, and a search of the vehicle revealed 12,545 mobile phones and 10,000 e-cigarettes.
On the same day, a separate operation was conducted at the Kapıkule Border Gate. Based on risk assessments generated by the Ministry of Trade's analytical systems, a truck was flagged for further inspection and directed to x-ray scanning. A detailed search uncovered 704 kilograms of damiana herbal tea concealed in the vehicle without declaration.
The truck driver was detained, and legal proceedings were initiated against him.
The Turkish Ministry of Trade and Customs Enforcement teams continue to intensify risk assessments and inspections at border crossings as part of ongoing efforts to combat smuggling. The market value of the seized items is estimated to be in the millions of Turkish lira.
