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Turkish customs officers seized 85 pigeons hidden inside a truck entering Türkiye through the Gurbulak Border Gate in the eastern province of Agri, the Trade Ministry said Thursday.
According to the ministry, Customs Enforcement teams stopped a truck at the Gurbulak crossing in Dogubayazit district after officers noticed irregularities during inspection. Inside, they found 85 pigeons of the “Cancan” breed kept in poor conditions.
The birds were rescued and transferred to a safe facility for care, officials said. The operation was carried out by the Gurbulak Customs Enforcement Anti-Smuggling and Intelligence Directorate.
The Dogubayazit Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into the incident. No details were released about the suspects or the intended destination of the pigeons.
Officials said customs teams aim not only to protect the national economy but also to prevent harm to wildlife and ensure animal welfare.
The ministry added that ongoing anti-smuggling efforts target both illegal trade and environmental protection.
The Gurbulak crossing, one of the busiest eastern gates between Türkiye and Iran, continues to be a focal point for customs inspections aimed at curbing smuggling and safeguarding ecological balance.
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