UPDATE - Over 2,400 liters of bootleg alcohol seized in Turkey

UPDATES WITH OPERATION IN ANOTHER PROVINCE; REVISES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Mustafa Gungor and Abdullah Ozkul

IZMIR/NIGDE, Turkey (AA) - A total of 2,422 liters of bootleg alcohol was seized and four suspects were held Friday by security forces in Turkey, according to security sources.

At least 972 liters of bootleg alcohol was found and a suspect held by gendarmerie forces in the western Izmir province, said a source who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Provincial security forces in Kinik district found out that a person was producing bootleg alcohol and selling it in the market, the source added.

In an operation, the forces raided the suspect’s place and seized counterfeit alcohol, a distiller, and various materials used in alcohol production, the source added.

Separately, in the central Nigde province, 1,450 liters of counterfeit wine was seized by provincial gendarmerie teams, a security source said.

In an operation against those producing bootleg alcohol in the Bor district, three addresses were raided simultaneously which led to the arrest of three suspects.

Bootleg alcohol is made using low-cost methyl alcohol instead of ethyl alcohol, which can cause serious harm and even death.

*Writing by Sena Guler in Ankara