ISTANBUL, Dec. 4 (Xinhua) -- Turkish security forces have seized massive quantities of illicit products and detained 169 suspects in a nationwide raid on counterfeit alcoholic beverages, authorities said Thursday.
Police carried out synchronized operations across all 81 provinces on Wednesday, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said on social media, calling it one of the most extensive anti-smuggling operations in recent years.
According to the minister, police seized 119,564 bottles of counterfeit or smuggled alcoholic drinks, 2,792 liters of illicit beverages, 48,425 liters of ethyl alcohol and 874 units of alcohol flavoring. Officers also shut down 12 illegal production sites, and 169 suspects now face legal proceedings.
Yerlikaya added that over the past month, coordinated operations have led to 528 arrests and the dismantling of 29 illicit production facilities.
Türkiye has toughened its fight against counterfeit alcohol in recent years, following a series of poisoning incidents that highlighted the deadly dangers of unregulated production. ■