Turkish security forces seized massive quantities of counterfeit alcohol and detained 169 suspects in a nationwide operation, authorities said Thursday.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said police carried out synchronized raids across all 81 provinces on Wednesday, calling it one of the country’s most extensive anti‑smuggling efforts in recent years.
Officers confiscated 119,564 bottles of counterfeit or smuggled drinks, 2,792 liters of illicit beverages, 48,425 liters of ethyl alcohol and 874 units of flavoring. Twelve illegal production sites were shut down, and suspects now face legal proceedings.
Yerlikaya added that coordinated operations over the past month have led to 528 arrests and the dismantling of 29 illicit facilities.
Turkey has stepped up its fight against counterfeit alcohol in recent years after a series of poisoning incidents underscored the lethal risks of unregulated production.