Suspect Caught with 640 Kilos of Illegal Meat Claims to Have Found It 'By the Roadside'

During the court proceedings, Police Sergeant Hüseyin Ergüleç presented the findings related to the case. Ergüleç stated that on June 18, 2024, Osman Şanlıel was stopped by officers from the Special Operations Unit (ÇÖŞ) of the Nicosia Police Directorate on the Famagusta-Nicosia main road. A search of his double-cabin vehicle revealed 640 kilos of various meats illegally imported from Southern Cyprus.

Sergeant Ergüleç mentioned that Şanlıel was caught red-handed and, upon being brought to the station for questioning, claimed that he found the meat by the roadside in the Akıncılar area. Furthermore, a search of Şanlıel's residence, conducted under a court order, uncovered an additional 10 kilos of meat in his freezer, which he also claimed to have found outside his door the previous day.

The seized meats were examined by the Veterinary Department, which reported that the meat lacked proper seals and was therefore deemed unhealthy.

Sergeant Ergüleç requested that Şanlıel be detained for an initial period of two days to allow for the verification of his statements and the collection of additional testimonies. Judge Zehra Y. Bilgeç granted the request, ordering Şanlıel to remain in police custody for two days to facilitate the ongoing investigation.