Istanbul police seize 18 suspected street gang members in coordinated raid

Turkish police carried out a simultaneous operation on Istanbul’s Asian side targeting a street gang led by a suspect identified as Ö. H. The raid, conducted by the Organized Crime and Intelligence units of the Istanbul Police Department, resulted in the arrest of 18 individuals.

The detainees are accused of a range of serious offenses, including extortion (haraç), qualified robbery, attempted murder, assault, armed threats, violations of firearms regulations (6136 law), endangering public safety and participation in organized crime. Security‑camera footage captured some of the alleged assaults, and investigators seized mobile phones, computers, external drives and other electronic devices as evidence.

The investigation is being overseen by the Anatolia Public Prosecutor’s Office. The suspects were taken to police headquarters for questioning, and the inquiry remains ongoing.