In the operation carried out at the Kapıkule Customs Gate by the Customs Enforcement teams of the Ministry of Commerce, 44 live pigeons were rescued from the hands of smugglers.
According to the statement made by the Ministry, a vehicle that came to the country to enter the country was seen as risky and followed up during the works carried out at the Kapıkule Customs Gate. The vehicle was sent for x-ray scanning to be checked after customs registration procedures. Meanwhile, the driver, who realized that his vehicle would be controlled, told the teams that there were live animals in his vehicle in fear and panic. During the controls on the vehicle, 44 breeds of pigeons were seized in the section made to put the spare tire of the vehicle. The first care and feeding of the pigeons brought to a safe area were provided by the Customs Enforcement teams.
In the detection studies, it was revealed that 15 of the pigeons belonged to the bango and 29 to the homing pigeon breeds. Afterwards, the pigeons were delivered to the Animal Rights Federation (HAYTAP) without delay. While an investigation was started by the Edirne Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the operation, one person was detained.