Turkey for Christmas
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by Grant Prior • Three truck drivers face Christmas in a Turkish jail after being caught up in an alleged export fraud.
They will appear in court in the New Year and are expected to face charges on the grounds that export documentation did not tally with their loads. Their only chance of a reprieve is a bail hearing scheduled for today (Thursday).
Trucks and trailers driven by the men have been impounded, causing headaches for their employers Ralph Davies International Haulage and Weetwood Freight Services.
Company boss Ralph Davies says: "These drivers have done nothing wrong— they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time."
RDI sent 11 trucks over to Istanbul loaded with computers last month; the drivers picked up groupage loads of clothing for the return journey organised by freight forwarder Baron Shipping International, says Davies.
Officials examining the loads found many of the boxes were empty. Turkish police have also arrested local exporters and customs officials.
BSI managing director Nain Uresin says: "We believe as soon as the court case starts the drivers will be found innocent, We just check the number of boxes, not their contents."
The case threatens the future of Weetwood Freight Services, which own two of the impounded trucks.
Owner Mike Jack says: "Our fleet is only three strong. They are talking about keeping our trucks until the end of the court case: by that time I'll be out of business and living in a tent."
RDI specialises in global exports and operates a fleet of 26 trucks.
The Foreign Office is in touch with the drivers. RDI has organised a local solicitor to represent them.