Turkish authorities have detained two Turkmen citizens in Istanbul for their alleged involvement in the production and distribution of counterfeit alcoholic beverages, according to Turkish news agency NTV.
The arrests come in the wake of a serious public health crisis in Istanbul, where 38 people have been poisoned by counterfeit alcohol within the past 24 hours. Of those hospitalized, 11 have tragically died.
The suspects were reportedly operating in the Ziya Gökalp district of Istanbul. During a search of their residence, police discovered approximately 50 liters of counterfeit alcohol, 36 narcotic pills, fake migrant identification cards, and a large quantity of medical supplies.
The Istanbul police have launched a comprehensive investigation into the incident. Authorities have revealed that 26 of those hospitalized due to poisoning were foreign nationals, underscoring the broader impact of the counterfeit alcohol trade.
The Consulate General of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Istanbul has confirmed that six Uzbek citizens have died as a result of consuming the counterfeit alcohol. Among the deceased are five men and one woman.
Further details about the investigation and potential charges against the detained suspects are awaited.
