Thirty detained in fraud raids at Istanbul customs

ISTANBUL

Thirty people were detained in raids at the Istanbul Halkalı customs on Jan. 22, as part of a fraud investigation.

The suspects are accused of tax swindling while dealing with customs textile products imported from China. The investigation was launched six months ago after the discovery of a scheme in which high-tax products were declared as products with a much lower taxation. The fraud approximately cost the state $30 million, according to Doğan News Agency.

The detained suspects include customs storehouse workers and the owners of textile companies, while 20 officials working at the customs have also been interrogated. Some 70 containers holding textile products from China have also been seized.

A similar raid was conducted in the southern port of Mersin last week, and seven customs officers were arrested on corruption charges.