Security guard at Atatürk Airport steals sacks containing millions of Syrian pounds

ISTANBUL - Doğan News Agency

The airport's security unit has started an investigation to find the whereabouts of the suspect, identified as C. G. Hürriyet photo

A security guard working for a private company at Istanbul's Atatürk Airport has stolen two sacks containing between 2.5 million and 3.5 million Syrian pounds, Doğan news agency reported May 2. The money was transported on a plane that departed from the southern province of Adana and belonged to a company that specializes in transferring money, company sources, who preferred to remain anonymous, have said.

The cargo plane was carrying four different sacks containing the equivalent of 20 million Turkish Liras in euros, dollars and Syrian pounds. The guard, identified as C. G. had legal access to the cargo shipment and took two of the sacks –  both containing Syrian currency – put them in the trunk of his private car and fled, according to witnesses.

Part of the money was reportedly being transported to Frankfurt, Germany, while the other part was to be transferred to several banks.

Following the incident, the airport's security unit has started an investigation to find the whereabouts of the suspect.