Tropical animals seized in Turkish trafficking raid

ISTANBUL

Tropical animals whose trade are subject to special permission, were seized Friday in an arms trafficking operations in Istanbul, according to security forces.  

Authorities from the anti-smuggling and organized crime branch, acting on a tip, followed a suspect, who illegally produced and released a cache of weapons.

Security teams confiscated a number of weapons and tropical animals, including a puma, iguana, savannah cat, peacock, ostrich, raccoon, flamingo and a wild goose.

The suspect was detained and later released on condition of judicial control.

The animals were handed to the Nature Conservation and National Parks 1st Regional Directorate.  

*Writing by Seda Sevencan