11 People Detained on Balalan Coast Attempting Illegal Transport of Tobacco Products

In the Balalan fishing harbor area, police thwarted a major attempt to illegally transport tobacco products. The operation was conducted on the evening of February 4, 2026, as part of the special operation "Sahil Kalkanı," organized by the Special Investigations Department of the General Directorate of Police.

According to the police, around 20:00 officers detained 11 people who, without authorization from the competent authorities, were loading 12,500 boxes of e-cigarette tobacco and 500 boxes of cigarettes onto a boat. All products were confiscated as physical evidence.

Further investigation revealed that two suspects used the boat to reach the shore outside an officially authorized port, landing on the Balalan fishing harbor coast, which is not an approved docking point.

All detainees have been arrested, and the investigation is ongoing.