Bribery operation at Kapıkule: 38 customs officers detained.

Additionally, detention warrants were issued for 350 people on the grounds of alleged bribery.

As part of the bribery investigation conducted at Turkey's Kapıkule Border Gate, which is the busiest land border gate in Europe, 38 customs officers were detained on Tuesday. The operation initiated by the Edirne Chief Public Prosecutor's Office was carried out based on reports that personnel were accepting bribes from individuals entering and exiting Turkey. During police surveillance that began in January, a bribery network was documented thanks to hidden cameras placed at the border gate. During raids conducted on Tuesday at the addresses of the suspects, a total of 14,600 dollars (554,896 TL), 21,325 euros (887,784 TL), and 89,800 Turkish Liras (approximately 35,000 euros in total) were seized. Additionally, detention warrants were issued for 350 people on the grounds of alleged bribery.

The busiest border gate in Europe According to the European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex, Kapıkule is the busiest border gate in Europe. Approximately 4 million people and 400,000 vehicles pass through this gate each year. This density makes the border gate strategic for both trade and individual crossings. A similar operation had also been carried out in Mersin.

On the other hand, a similar operation was conducted in December 2024 in Mersin. In the operation organized under the coordination of the Mersin Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, 24 customs officials, including the customs director and deputy director of the free trade zone, as well as 67 customs consultants were arrested. During the operation, cash and gold worth over 150,000 euros were seized. Additionally, three unlicensed pistols, 371 cartridges, nine watches, and drugs were confiscated.