site.btaCustoms Authorities in Istanbul Seize 127 kg of Cocaine in Two Containers Destined for Bulgaria

Customs authorities at the port of Ambarli in Istanbul seized 127 kg of cocaine in two containers destined for Bulgaria from Ecuador, according to the Haberler website.

The drugs were hidden in sacks of flour loaded into the two containers. The value of the confiscated drugs is estimated at TRY 14 billion (over EUR 270 million). No suspects have been identified in Turkiye in connection with the case.

The operation was carried out as part of the fight against international drug trafficking by teams of the Istanbul Customs Enforcement Smuggling and Intelligence Directorate, under the coordination of the Buyukcekmece Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

As a result of the investigation, it was established that on January 25, two containers loaded with flour arrived at Ambarli Port in Istanbul, transiting from Ecuador and destined for delivery to Bulgaria.

On January 30, the investigators sent 1,600 bags, weighing 25 kg each, containing 40 tonnes of flour (800 bags contained fish meal) from the two containers for forensic examination. The examination found that 3 tonnes and 344 kilograms of fish meal had been impregnated with 127 kilograms of cocaine. The drugs were confiscated by order of the Second Criminal Court in Buyukcekmece.

No suspects have been identified so far in connection with the transit shipment of drugs, and efforts to identify the perpetrators in Ecuador and Bulgaria continue, the media reports.