New development in counterfeit alcohol investigation

Three of the 6 suspects detained in an operation in Istanbul, where 32 thousand 862 liters of illicit alcohol were seized, have been arrested.

The police procedures for the 6 suspects, who were detained during an operation conducted by the Provincial Security Directorate's Anti-Smuggling Branch to prevent counterfeit alcohol smuggling and apprehend the suspects, have been completed.

Following health checks, the suspects were referred to the courthouse, where 3 were arrested by the court, while the others were released under judicial control measures.

Teams from the Istanbul Anti-Smuggling Branch had identified the identities and addresses of suspects producing counterfeit alcohol from ethyl and methyl alcohol and carried out operations on residences, workplaces, and vehicles identified in Sultangazi, Fatih, Bakırköy, Küçükçekmece, Çatalca, Esenyurt, Zeytinburnu, and Beykoz.

During the operation, 9 suspects were apprehended, and searches at the addresses resulted in the seizure of 32 thousand 862 liters of illicit methyl and ethyl alcohol, 227 bottles of counterfeit alcohol, and a distillation machine; 3 of the suspects had been released following their police processing.