Turkish officials say they uncovered a vast weapons trove aboard a cargo ship en route to Egypt from Ukraine.
Turkish television reported today (Thursday) that the Turkish Customs Authority succeeded in catching the weapons ship, which stopped in Turkey on the way to Egypt from Ukraine. The operation was overseen by Turkish Trade Minister, Korsad Touzman.
The weapons aboard the ship included a radio-controlled missile and launcher as well as a number of rockets and warheads. "We can say that the weapons are the kind that we can describe as 'sophisticated,'" Touzmen said in an announcement. He did not provide further details on the quantity or nature of the weapons, saying an investigation was underway.
The vessel had anchored for refueling at the port of Ambarli, in the Bosphorus Straits, unloading the containers filled with weapons there, where another ship was scheduled to carry the cargo to Egypt. The captain of the ship lied to customs officials, saying the containers contained “spare parts,” Tousman said.
Turkey has been on heightened alert due to a NATO summit scheduled to take place there three months from now.
Turkish television reported today (Thursday) that the Turkish Customs Authority succeeded in catching the weapons ship, which stopped in Turkey on the way to Egypt from Ukraine. The operation was overseen by Turkish Trade Minister, Korsad Touzman.
The weapons aboard the ship included a radio-controlled missile and launcher as well as a number of rockets and warheads. "We can say that the weapons are the kind that we can describe as 'sophisticated,'" Touzmen said in an announcement. He did not provide further details on the quantity or nature of the weapons, saying an investigation was underway.
The vessel had anchored for refueling at the port of Ambarli, in the Bosphorus Straits, unloading the containers filled with weapons there, where another ship was scheduled to carry the cargo to Egypt. The captain of the ship lied to customs officials, saying the containers contained “spare parts,” Tousman said.
Turkey has been on heightened alert due to a NATO summit scheduled to take place there three months from now.