The Kahramanmaraş Chief Public Prosecutor's Office initiated an investigation into the increasing cases of counterfeit gold in the city in recent years and conducted a simultaneous operation in 10 provinces. The operation resulted in the detention of 67 suspects who were found to have been producing low-carat and underweight counterfeit gold items such as quarter, half, full gold coins and Ata lira in unlicensed workshops.
The investigation was launched on charges of counterfeiting currency, counterfeiting assets considered equivalent to currency, and aggravated fraud after findings that the use of counterfeit gold had become widespread in Kahramanmaraş. As a result of technical surveillance and wiretapping, 71 suspects were identified, including jewelers, workshop operators, marketers, and mold makers.
Dawn raids in 10 provinces
Simultaneous raids were carried out on June 30 at 06:00 in Kahramanmaraş, Mersin, Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa, Bursa, Hatay, Malatya, Diyarbakır, Kilis, and Sivas with the participation of 150 teams and 490 personnel. A large number of counterfeit gold and unlicensed weapons were seized in searches at the addresses.
Seized gold and jewelry
The operation yielded 108 seals, 79 Ata lira, 813 full gold coins, 792 half gold coins, 2,634 quarter gold coins, 3,666 grams of gold, various gram and Reşat gold coins, 151 decorative gold items, approximately 1 kilogram 590 grams of gold jewelry, and 105.84 grams of gold bullion.
Additionally, 9 unlicensed rifles, 8 unlicensed pistols, 5 blank-firing pistols, 4 magazines, 3,338 rounds and cartridges, 3 cutting tools, and 26 synthetic pills were among the items seized.
Authorities stated that the market value of the seized criminal items is approximately 150 million lira. They also reported that the investigation is continuing in multiple directions and efforts are ongoing to apprehend 4 fugitive suspects.
