During the controls carried out at the Sarp Border Gate by the Customs Enforcement teams of the Ministry of Commerce, a person was caught trying to bring 250 water turtles into the country by hiding them wrapped around his body.
According to the statement made by the Ministry, within the scope of the activities carried out by the Customs Enforcement teams affiliated to the Ministry of Commerce within the scope of the fight against smuggling, the teams noticed that there was an abnormal swelling on the coat of a person who came to the passenger lounge at Sarp Customs Area to enter Turkey from Georgia. made the call. During the search, it was determined that the person had taped a box to his back and when the box was opened, it was seen that there were many live water turtles inside. 250 water turtles came out of the box, which was noticed to be designed with air holes for the turtles to breathe.
Since it is known that water turtles that are fed at home, if they are left to nature by their owners, they damage the ecosystem by acting expansive, they are not allowed to be imported.
Water turtles determined to belong to an invasive species were confiscated and handed over to the Artvin Provincial Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks.
Customs Enforcement teams not only protect the national economy through their anti-smuggling activities, but also contribute significantly to the protection of Turkey's rare flora and fauna with these and similar captures.