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Türkiye’s customs enforcement teams seized 54 tons and 480 kilograms of narcotics in operations carried out from January through October 2026, the Trade Ministry said.
The ministry said the operations also resulted in the seizure of millions of smuggled tobacco products, electronic cigarette items and thousands of liters of illicit alcoholic beverages.
Authorities said the anti-smuggling operations aim to protect Türkiye’s economic security and prevent products that threaten public health from entering the country or reaching the market.
Under a risk-analysis and targeting-based enforcement model, vehicles, passengers and goods identified as suspicious were inspected using X-ray systems, detector dogs and advanced control equipment.
During the first 10 months of the year, customs teams seized 9,261,191 electronic cigarette pods or cartridges and 105,116 electronic cigarette devices and components.
They also confiscated 27,284,924 filled and empty cigarette tubes, 1,658,497 packs of cigarettes, 300 tons and 993 kilograms of cigarette and hookah tobacco, and 20,675,055 cigarette filters and papers.
Authorities additionally seized 4,530 liters of liquid nicotine and electronic cigarette liquid, 22,167 cigars and cigarillos, and 33,413 liters of alcoholic beverages.
The ministry said products found to be illegal and lacking required tax stamps are destroyed after technical teams complete sampling and other necessary procedures.
The measure is intended to prevent smuggled goods that threaten public health, contribute to the informal economy and create unfair competition from returning to circulation.
The Trade Ministry said it would continue strengthening the technological infrastructure and operational capacity of customs enforcement teams, particularly in efforts to prevent narcotics and other harmful smuggled goods from entering or being traded in Türkiye.
“We will continue our fight against all forms of smuggling with determination to protect our country’s economic security and the health of our citizens,” the ministry said.
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