Turkey: Over 38,000 smuggled cigarette packets seized

By Mehmet Fatih Aslan

SANLIURFA, Turkey (AA) - Turkish security forces on Monday seized 38,110 packages of contraband cigarettes hidden among peanut bags in the country's southeast, according to security sources.

Provincial police stopped a truck in the Sanliurfa province as part of anti-cigarette smuggling efforts, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

During the search, police found 38,110 illegal cigarette packages, 2,900 e-cigarette tobacco containers, 991 kilograms (2,184 pounds) of hookah tobacco, and 189 pairs of headphones.

The truck driver and one person inside were both arrested.

* Writing by Davut Demircan