Turkey's Organized Crime Crackdown: 45 Arrested in Multi‑City Operation

Turkey’s justice authorities launched a coordinated operation against street gangs and a transnational organized‑crime network. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office directed simultaneous raids in seven provinces – Istanbul, Tekirdağ, İzmir, Siirt, Samsun, Tokat and Şanlıurfa – targeting 54 suspects. Police detained 45 individuals, including six lawyers, while nine remain at large.

The investigation, which has so far processed about 700 suspects, notes that the gang’s leader is currently imprisoned in Italy and that members continued activities despite earlier arrests. Authorities also reported that some detained suspects transferred illicit earnings to imprisoned gang members and that intimidation was used to silence witnesses.

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek affirmed the government’s resolve to continue fighting organized crime, emphasizing the protection of public order and the rule of law.