Over 3.8 tons of bootleg alcohol seized in Turkey

By Ozgun Tiran, Mustafa Unal Uysal and Ahmet Ozler

KIRKLARELI/ MERSIN/ KARABUK, Turkey (AA) - Turkish security forces seized over 3,800 liters of bootleg alcohol across the country on Monday.

Gendarmerie teams in northwestern Kirklareli province seized 3,746 liters of counterfeit alcohol in two villages, said a security source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

At least five suspects were arrested in the operation, it added.

In a separate operation, police teams seized 20 liters of bootleg alcohol as they raided a house in the southern Mersin province.

A suspect was released on bail.

Also, the police teams in the Black Sea province of Karabuk seized 61 liters of counterfeit alcohol.

During the operation, one suspect was arrested for allegedly selling the bootleg alcohol.

At least 80 people have died of alcohol poisoning in Turkey in October, according to data compiled by Anadolu Agency.

Bootleg alcohol is made using low-cost methyl alcohol instead of ethyl alcohol, which causes serious harm to human health and even death.

Illegally produced liquor is often laced with methanol, which can cause permanent blindness, metabolic disturbances, and death.

*Writing by Havva Kara Aydin