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- October 15, 202615°
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- October 15, 202615°
International drug operation based in Istanbul nets 47 suspects
A total of 47 suspects were detained in simultaneous raids across 13 provinces as part of an international drug operation based in Istanbul. Authorities seized 163 bank accounts and crypto assets linked to the suspects, along with 556 properties, 155 motor vehicles and partnership stakes in 71 companies.
Forty-seven suspects were detained in an international drug operation led by Istanbul Police Chief Selami Yıldız. The operation was conducted by the Narcotics Crimes and Intelligence Branch Directorates under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
The Narcotics Crimes Department, the Interpol-Europol Department and the Financial Crimes Investigation Board supported the operation. Authorities seized assets worth 7 billion 657 million Turkish liras, most of which were linked to the alleged leaders of the organization.
Encrypted communications network uncovered
Police teams, working with the Joint Investigation Team, examined messages exchanged by the international drug trafficking organization through the encrypted SkyECC platform. The investigation identified the organization's members and the suspects involved in drug production, shipment and distribution.
The suspects, who were linked to the seizure of tons of drugs in Germany, the Netherlands, Iran, North Macedonia and Türkiye, included operators of hotels, petrol stations, logistics companies, jewelry stores and currency exchange offices. Investigators determined that the suspects had provided assistance to people in need and taken part in social activities to conceal their criminal operations.
Different suspects handled different stages of the organization
Police teams determined that the organization's leaders were responsible for different stages of the drug trafficking operation. Investigators found that E.I. took raw materials obtained from Europe to Iran and organized heroin production there, while E.H. was responsible for bringing the drugs into Türkiye.
They determined that the smuggling of drugs into the country by mule from the Yüksekova district of Hakkari was organized, after which C.G. arranged shipments to the western provinces. G.D. was responsible for storing the drugs produced.
Investigators found that shipments of the drugs abroad were carried out by H.C. under the control of N.A., while M.A. managed distribution in the Netherlands.
Seized assets
Authorities seized bank accounts and crypto assets belonging to 163 people, as well as 556 properties, 155 motor vehicles and partnership stakes in 71 companies. The total value of the seized assets was 7 billion 657 million Turkish liras.
The investigation determined that the organization coordinated drug production, shipment and distribution in different countries and provinces. The suspects were found to have handled connections between the procurement of chemicals, international transport and logistics processes, and the domestic distribution network.
Analysis of the encrypted communications revealed links between the organization's international procurement and shipment operations and its distribution network in Türkiye. Investigators determined that the suspects were connected to the trafficking of a total of 10 tons and 100 kilograms of drugs.
In the simultaneous operation conducted on Oct. 13 across 13 provinces with the participation of 2,000 personnel, 42 suspects were initially apprehended. Five more suspects were detained as the investigation continued, bringing the total to 47.
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