Customs enforcement units in Türkiye seized goods worth 21.8 billion lira (approximately $45 million) during anti-smuggling operations in the first quarter of the year.
Authorities said the confiscated items included drugs, tobacco products, alcohol, textiles, precious metals, vehicles, electronics, and industrial equipment. Officials noted that the operations are aimed at safeguarding national security, maintaining economic stability, and protecting legitimate exporters from illicit trade, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.
Data released by the customs authorities showed that the largest volume of seizures occurred in February. Goods worth 7.7 billion lira ($172 million) were confiscated in January, rising to 9.3 billion lira ($207,8 million) in February before declining to 4.9 billion lira (#109,4 million) in March.
Among the categories of seized goods, precious metals accounted for the largest share at 1.9 billion lira (approximately $3.9 million), followed by vehicles at 873.4 million lira (about $1.8 million) and electronics at 538.6 million lira (around $1.1 million). Tobacco and alcohol products totaled 185.2 million lira (roughly $380,000), alongside additional seizures of foodstuffs and industrial materials.
Separately, authorities reported that tobacco-related seizures alone amounted to 69.6 million lira over the three-month period, including cigarettes, loose tobacco, rolling paper and cigars.
Officials also highlighted efforts to strengthen enforcement through new technologies. Under the MİLTAR project, a system is being developed to enhance the inspection of vehicles and cargo containers, alongside plans to expand the use of artificial intelligence and domestically developed scanning technologies at border crossings.
By Sabina Mammadli
