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Turkey dismantles international drug network in 13-province operation
Turkish authorities have dismantled an international drug trafficking network following simultaneous operations across 13 provinces, including Istanbul and Gaziantep. Coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and supported by Interpol, Europol, and MASAK, the operation involved approximately 2,000 police personnel.
Investigations revealed that the criminal organization utilized encrypted communication programs to manage the production, shipment, and distribution of narcotics. The group is linked to the trafficking of over 10 tons and 100 kilograms of drugs, specifically heroin, cannabis, and cocaine, through at least 35 separate shipments.
As a result of the crackdown, 42 suspects were apprehended. Authorities seized assets estimated at 7 billion 657 million TL, which are believed to be proceeds from criminal activities and money laundering. The seized assets include bank accounts, cryptocurrency, 556 real estate properties, 155 motor vehicles, and ownership stakes in 71 companies.
Entities
Akın Gürlek · Ankara West Chief Public Prosecutor's Office · Cafer Mahiroğlu · Erdal Beşikcioğlu · Etimesgut Municipality · Europol · Fikret Gözüoğlu · Gültekin Bayındır · Halk TV · Interpol · Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office · MASAK
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 20 SOURCES] Between February and September 2026, 7,818 operations were conducted across 81 provinces. anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · gazeterize.com · www.haberport.com · www.dunya.com · www.gzt.com · +7 more
- [● 20 SOURCES] Authorities seized over 1.4 billion TL, 17 million EUR, and 1.7 million USD in cash. anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · gazeterize.com · www.haberport.com · www.dunya.com · www.gzt.com · +7 more
- [● 20 SOURCES] 32,882 suspects were arrested during the eight-month period. anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · gazeterize.com · www.haberport.com · www.dunya.com · www.gzt.com · +7 more
- [● 20 SOURCES] Drug substances with a market value exceeding 30 billion TL were seized. anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · gazeterize.com · www.haberport.com · www.dunya.com · www.gzt.com · +7 more
- [● 20 SOURCES] Authorities confiscated 9,030 real estate properties, 1,556 vehicles, and 22 maritime vessels. anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · gazeterize.com · www.haberport.com · www.dunya.com · www.gzt.com · +7 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] Suspects used themes like wheelchair assistance and investment partnerships to commit fraud. www.izgazete.net
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Access blocking or content removal orders were issued for 864 URL addresses.
- [● 6 SOURCES] 137 of the suspects were arrested. www.izgazete.net
- [○ 1 SOURCE] AI-supported monitoring identified 936 accounts/individuals involved in various crimes including drug sales and organized crime.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] 553 accounts/individuals were identified in connection with terrorist organizations.
- [DISPUTED] 327 suspects were apprehended in cybercrime operations across 22 provinces. www.izgazete.net
- [● 5 SOURCES] Operations targeted online child obscenity, qualified fraud, and illegal betting. www.izgazete.net