Türkiye’s Sabah newspaper published a news story about Turkish intelligence body MIT’s operation that prevented transfer of MOSSAD’s additional walkie talkie cargoes to Lebanon in September 2024.
Last year, on September 17, the world was shaken by simultaneous explosions in Lebanon. Explosions occurred in pager devices used by Hezbollah members. In these blasts, 12 people, including 2 children, lost their lives, and approximately 2,800 people were injured, around 300 seriously. On September 18, another explosion triggered by detonating radios killed 25 people and injured more than 450.
Behind the explosions triggered by messages sent to the pagers was the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. According to allegations, Mossad had obtained the pagers Hezbollah was going to purchase in advance and placed numerous explosives inside them. The Taiwan-based company Gold Apollo pointed to its Hungarian partner, a company named ‘Bac Consulting KFT’, as the manufacturer of the detonated pagers. However, it is claimed that this company was set up as a front by Israel.
MIT’s Radar Catches the Shipment
Shortly after the explosions, 1,300 bomb-loaded pagers of the same brand and model, along with 710 chargers, were about to be shipped to Lebanon but were intercepted at Istanbul Airport by Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MIT). SABAH obtained details of one of the largest MIT operations in recent years.
Everything Started with Intelligence Reached by MIT
On September 20, MIT received intelligence that pagers similar to those involved in the Lebanon explosions were going to be sent from Istanbul to Lebanon. MIT immediately took action, scrutinizing airports and ports. On September 16, a day before the explosions in Lebanon, a cargo shipment consisting of four pallets, managed by Taiwan-based SMT Global Logistics Limited, arrived at Istanbul Airport on flight TK6141 from Hong Kong. The shipment contained 61 boxes weighing 850 kilograms. It was discovered that this cargo was scheduled to be sent to Lebanon on September 27 via cargo flight TK830 departing Istanbul at 06:50.
Bomb Disposal Teams Opened the Cargo
The cargo’s bill of lading number 235 HKG 92890070 was checked. The product was listed as “Food Chopper.” Security units took action, and together with Istanbul Police Department’s Bomb Disposal Unit, the cargo was opened and inspected box by box.
1,300 Pagers, 710 Chargers, and Batteries Found
During the inspection, 1,300 Gold Apollo 924 R3 GP model pagers (450-470 MHz) packed in 26 boxes, along with 710 desktop chargers labeled BC-144N and their cables and batteries, were found. The cargo also contained 144 mini hand blenders, 8 network ports with cables, 4 network devices with cables, 3 camera recorders with cables, and 1 pneumatic cable crimping machine with a foot pedal.
Examined in the Criminal Laboratory
The security forces immediately reported the findings to the on-duty prosecutor of the Terror Crimes Investigation Bureau. Necessary seizure orders were obtained for all materials. Since the radios and equipment seized were identical to those used in the Israeli attack in Lebanon, they were sent to the Criminal Laboratory for detailed examination to determine if they contained explosives.
Same Pager, Same Bomb System
At the Criminal Laboratory, all items were carefully examined. Using a special drilling technique, the pagers and chargers were searched for explosives. Preliminary inspection of the 1,300 Gold Apollo pagers revealed a metal-bodied, durable battery block containing a white explosive substance weighing 3 grams, highly flammable and fast-burning. It was concluded that the pagers could detonate due to intense signals or commands causing the batteries to heat up to a critical level, potentially causing death or injury.
Bombs Injected into Radio Batteries
Similar bomb devices were also found inside the 710 desktop chargers and their batteries. Unlike normal radio batteries, these contained a battery block connected to the charging circuit, consisting of two cells housed inside a solid metal casing. A dark brown, highly flammable explosive substance was injected into the metal casing.
Detonation Possible by Intense Signal or Short Circuit
Like the attacks in Lebanon, the dark brown explosive surrounded the batteries and could detonate if a short circuit occurred or if a strong signal was sent to the device, causing the batteries to overheat. All bomb-loaded pagers and chargers were destroyed by security forces.
Second Plane Also Caught on Radar
Following these findings, airport security heightened inspections. A similar shipment was suspected on flight TK6091 from Hong Kong to Lebanon via Taiwan. The cargo manifest indicated machines capable of recording, converting, and reproducing sound, image, or other data.
The sender was again a Chinese company named ‘Guangzou Maoteng Yu Trading,’ and the intermediary was the same SMT Global Logistics Limited involved in the first shipment. The recipients were Lebanese companies ‘Aramex Lebanon S.A.L.’ and ‘H. Nehme Trading.’
No Explosives Found in Second Shipment
This shipment contained walkie-talkies, batteries, chargers, vehicle radios, and mini hand blenders. Bomb disposal teams found no explosives or flammable materials in this cargo.
Sender Chinese, Recipient Lebanese Company
The shipment containing the bomb-loaded chargers was sent by ‘Guangzhou Maoteng Yu,’ a Chinese logistics and distribution company. The intermediary was ‘SMT Global Logistics Limited,’ possibly linked to ‘SMT Global Customs Brokerage Inc.’ in Istanbul’s Zeytinburnu district. The company owner, Gürkan G., was investigated but had no criminal or intelligence records. The recipient was Trade Mania LLC, a Lebanese wholesaler of household appliances and electrical goods.
Name Similarity Discovered
Gürkan G. was questioned and explained that his company only handled customs brokerage and did not engage in transportation or logistics. He stated that the ‘SMT Global Logistics Limited’ on the bill of lading was a different international transport company with a similar name, and there was no connection between them. Gürkan G. was released after his statement.
Main Agenda Item in Mikati-Erdoğan Meeting
It was revealed that this massive operation was a key topic during the visit of Lebanese President Najib Mikati to Turkey in December last year to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Mikati reportedly thanked Erdoğan for the operation that intercepted and destroyed the bomb-loaded pagers before they reached Lebanon. Erdoğan also briefed his Lebanese counterpart about the operation during their meeting.
