Turkey: 2.7 tons of contraband tobacco seized

ISTANBUL

Turkish security forces on Wednesday seized about 2.7 tons of contraband tobacco after a tipoff from a cargo company in the metropolis of Istanbul.

Security forces were alerted after the company noticed suspicious sacks at their cargo delivery center.

Three suspects, two of them foreign nationals, were initially detained after 510 kilograms (1,124 pounds) of tobacco were seized in the Silivri district.

Moving to search a separate warehouse, the security forces seized an additional 2.19 tons of contraband tobacco and 90 liters of a liquid substance thought to be meant for use with hookah water-pipe smoking.