Turkish police seize anti-tank missile components in Zonguldak port on Black Sea

ZONGULDAK

Turkish police have seized two telescopes and two trigger mechanisms used in the making of anti-missiles in the northern port of the Black Sea province of Zonguldak, while detaining a suspect of Iranian origin, according to reports emerged on April 30. 

The customs enforcement anti-smuggling and enforcement units reportedly spotted an articulated truck trying to smuggle the aforementioned components from Ukraine into Zonguldak Port on April 27. The anti-tank missile parts were bound for Iran, the reports said. 

After the anti-smuggling units’ discovered that the telescopes and trigger mechanisms were hidden in secret compartments of the truck, the driver, identified only as E.E., 38, was detained for further interrogation. The suspect reportedly said the anti-tank missiles were bound for Iran and he was being paid for each piece he delivered.

The Turkish Customs and Trade Ministry issued a statement on April 30, confirming the seized pieces were trigger-firing as well as the acquisition of telescopic systems used in the making of anti-tank missiles.

The statement said the seized components were “two main components of Russian-made 9K111 Fagot of 9K113 Konkurs anti-tank guided missiles, which are recently being used by terror organizations such as the PKK [outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party], ISIL [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant], and the PYD [Democratic Union Party].”