Retired Turkish lieutenant general arrested for meat smuggling in Cyprus

A retired Turkish lieutenant general, identified by the initials B.M. and serving as a commander within the Turkish forces in the occupied northern part of Cyprus, was arrested at the Agios Dometios crossing on October 22, 2026. The arrest occurred after authorities discovered 305.40 kilograms of boneless beef and 41 kilograms of lamb tail fat in the trunk of his vehicle as he was returning to his residence in Kyrenia from government-controlled areas. The seized goods have an estimated value of 411,370 Turkish lira, or approximately 7,472 euros.

Following the arrest, the suspect was brought before a court in the occupied territories. The court ordered his release under restrictive conditions, which include a ban on leaving the territory, a cash bail of 80,000 Turkish lira (around 1,255 euros), and a bond of 600,000 Turkish lira (about 10,909 euros) guaranteed by two individuals. Additionally, the retired officer is required to report to a local police station once per week. According to reports from the Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Bakis, this is not the suspect's first brush with the law, as he was previously detained for attempting to smuggle three suitcases of tobacco through the VIP terminal of the illegal Tympou airport.