Turkish intelligence services intercepted a large shipment of booby-trapped pagers at Istanbul Airport just days after a series of deadly explosions involving similar devices in Lebanon, according to a report published by the Turkish daily Sabah.

The seizure, which took place in September 2024, involved 1,300 modified communication devices disguised as "food choppers" and destined for Beirut. The operation came just three days after the explosion of similar pagers and walkie-talkies in Lebanon on September 17 and 18, which killed at least 40 people and injured over 2,900. Many of the casualties were reported to be Hezbollah members.

According to Sabah, the intercepted shipment originated in Hong Kong and arrived in Istanbul on September 16 aboard a cargo flight operated by SMT Global Logistics Limited, a Taiwanese firm. The cargo, weighing approximately 850 kilograms and packed into 61 boxes, was scheduled for onward transport to Beirut on Turkish Airlines flight TK830 on September 27.

A subsequent inspection revealed the presence of 1,300 units of the Gold Apollo 924 R3 GP model pagers, a Taiwanese brand that had reportedly been infiltrated by Israeli intelligence. The New York Times had earlier reported that Israeli operatives had sold customized versions of the devices to Hezbollah, leading to the deadly detonations.

The intercepted shipment also included 710 desktop chargers and a number of accessories, such as batteries and cables. Upon further investigation, Turkish authorities discovered that the pagers and chargers contained flammable and explosive materials. Specifically, the batteries concealed a white substance weighing approximately three grams, which was determined to be a powerful explosive that could be triggered via intense signaling or an electrical short circuit. In the chargers, a similar dark brown explosive material was found injected into the metallic casing housing dual batteries.

Turkish intelligence reportedly acted on a tip received on September 20, alerting them to a planned shipment of devices similar to those that exploded in Lebanon. This led to increased surveillance at airports and seaports across the country. According to the report, the Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office ordered the immediate confiscation of the suspicious cargo, which was then transferred to a forensic laboratory for analysis.

In a surprising development, Hezbollah’s media officer, Youssef al-Zein, told Lebanon’s LBCI channel that it was, in fact, Hezbollah that had informed Turkish authorities about the explosive-laden shipment.

However, Turkish media suggested that the seizure was the result of domestic intelligence efforts by the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), which reportedly acted swiftly upon learning of the shipment’s intended destination.

The incident was later brought up in diplomatic discussions between Turkey and Lebanon. During a visit to Ankara in December 2024, former Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati reportedly thanked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for the operation and the destruction of the seized devices.

According to Sabah, the shipment was linked to a Chinese company named Guangzhou Maoteng Yu, with SMT Global Logistics Limited serving as the broker. The intended recipient in Lebanon was identified as Trade Mania LLC. A separate company based in Istanbul, with a similar name to SMT, was investigated but found to have no connection to the shipment.

While another shipment of pagers from the same broker was located and searched, it reportedly contained no explosive materials.

The incident comes as Turkey intensifies its counterintelligence operations amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian factions. Turkish authorities have dismantled multiple alleged Mossad spy rings operating within the country. Dozens of individuals accused of conducting espionage—primarily targeting Palestinian nationals, including those linked to Hamas—have been detained.

The Turkish government has yet to officially comment on the reported seizure or the broader implications of the investigation. However, the case underscores growing concerns about the weaponization of civilian technology and the risks of transnational arms smuggling in the region.