site.btaTurkish Authorities Bust Smuggling Ring Importing Cars from Bulgaria

Turkish security forces have dismantled a smuggling ring involved in selling illegally imported cars and spare parts from Bulgaria to Turkiye in Edirne. Four Bulgarian nationals are among those detained.

Haberler reported that the smuggling ring was exposed during the Operation Change, conducted by the anti-smuggling and combating organized crime department, the public order department, and the intelligence unit of the Security Directorate in the border city of Edirne.

The investigation found that the smuggling ring had unlawfully brought in 181 cars of various makes and models from Bulgaria over the course of a year and a half.

Some of the imported cars had their Bulgarian license plates swapped for Turkish ones and were sold to Turkish citizens. Other cars were taken apart, and the parts were sold as spares on the black market.

The operation took place simultaneously in Edirne, Istanbul, Corlu, Tekirdag, and Kirklareli. During the searches, authorities found several cars with Bulgarian registration, Turkish license plates, car computers.

Eight people were detained, with five remaining in custody.