Smuggled aphrodisiac substance worth 1 million liras seized in Istanbul

ISTANBUL - Doğan News Agency

Istanbul police have seized smuggled materials used to produce aphrodisiac drugs worth 1 million Turkish Liras ($219 million).

The operation on June 7 came after police were tipped off that the drug substances had been smuggled into the country from India. They identified an address in the Istanbul district of Bağcılar in connection with the smuggling activity, with police teams and units from the district health directorate raiding an address at the İstoç Trade Center.

The units seized 300 kilograms of “sildenafil citrate,” a substance used in the production of aphrodisiac drugs with a market value of 1 million liras.

An individual apprehended at the shop was detained, and after formal procedures at the police headquarters they were sent to the courthouse. The suspect was later released.

Officials said this is the first time in Turkey that this raw material has been seized, adding that it had been planned to be used to produce sexual power-enhancing energy drinks, chocolate and gels.

The “sildenafil citrate” substance is used by pharma companies under the permission and supervision of the Health Ministry.