Çavdar Remains in Custody as Court Hears Duty-Free Goods Case

Police officer Yılmaz Sevdalı, assigned to the Criminal Investigation Unit, presented the facts in court.

On October 2, 2024, the police reported that the suspect was found in possession of 482 cartons of electronic cigarettes, valued at 313,300 TL, hidden in two suitcases in the bedroom during a search conducted under a court order at his address on Sht. Mehmet Kemal Street in Küçük Kaymaklı. The items were seized as evidence, and the suspect was arrested in the act. The police further stated that in his voluntary statement, the arrested suspect claimed he obtained the electronic cigarettes from the owner of a business operating in Küçük Kaymaklı through his son-in-law living abroad.

The officer noted that on the same day, the police reviewed security footage from the business and confirmed that the suspect had arrived on September 30, 2024, in a vehicle and unloaded cartons of electronic cigarettes.

Additionally, the police revealed that on October 1, 2024, individuals arrived at the business in a black taxi to collect the cigarettes. During the investigation, the individuals in the black taxi were apprehended at Kyrenia Port while attempting to leave the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, found in possession of 77,800 cartons of electronic cigarettes valued at 570,000 TL, leading to their arrest in the act.

The police officer indicated that the investigation is ongoing and requested an additional four days for further inquiries.

The suspect's lawyer argued that Çavdar had purchased the products from a market and provided an invoice to the police, asserting that the items were legal.

After considering the testimony presented, Judge Nuray Necdet ordered that Rahim Çavdar remain in custody for an additional four days to facilitate the ongoing investigation.