Turkish Customs confiscated a record batch of smuggled ASIC miners worth a total of 5 million Turkish lira ($600,000). Local media report the seizure.
Authorities found 501 illegally imported Bitcoin mining devices at a warehouse in Izmir. Four suspects have been detained as part of the investigation.
Another operation to curb smuggling is under way in Istanbul.
Earlier in May, Turkey tightened verification requirements for users of Bitcoin exchanges and required exchanges to report transactions over $1,200. This followed the closure in April of two major trading platforms.
On 20 April, the Thodex exchange unexpectedly halted trading, initially citing technical works, and then the transfer of the business to a new partner. As part of the investigation into the alleged exit scam, 62 people were detained.
The CEO of the company, Faruk Fatih Özer, was placed on the wanted list. Later a court arrested six people linked to Thodex, including relatives of the platform’s head.
On 26 April, Turkish crypto exchange Vebitcoin halted operations due to financial difficulties. Authorities blocked the exchange’s accounts and arrested four people connected to the company.
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