started · updated
Turkey conducts massive drug raids, seizes tons of precursors and arrests hundreds
Turkish law‑enforcement agencies carried out a series of coordinated drug‑related raids across many provinces in July 2026. Operations in Gaziantep, Niğde, Ankara, Zeytinburun (Istanbul), Malatya, Karaman, Bodrum, Samsun (Bafra) and Şırnak resulted in the seizure of large quantities of narcotics, precursor chemicals and related equipment, as well as numerous firearms, ammunition and cash.
The biggest sweep, dubbed the "Narko Kapan" operation, involved simultaneous actions at 472 locations in six provinces and led to the arrest of 382 suspects. Other raids seized 131.64 g of cannabis and 48.19 g of synthetic cannabinoid in Niğde, 115 kg of precursor material capable of producing 11.5 tons of drug in Zeytinburun, 14,446 synthetic ecstasy pills in Malatya and 900 g of skunk plus 50 g of cocaine in Bodrum. In Istanbul Airport, agents recovered 380 g of methamphetamine hidden in 26 swallowed capsules. Overall, dozens of suspects were taken into custody, many of whom faced charges for drug manufacturing, trafficking and related violent crimes.
Entities
Ankara Police · Avcılar (Istanbul) · Bodrum Police · Ezel Akay · Gaziantep Police · Istanbul Airport Police · Malatya İl Emniyet Müdürlüğü · Northern Cyprus Police · Samsun Bafra · Samsun Narkotik Suçlarla Mücadele Şube Müdürlüğü · Turkish National Police · Turkish police
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Three suspects were detained in Ankara, where police seized 122,500 drug pills, 122 kg raw material, two pistols and cash. rayhaber.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Police seized 782 cannabis plants and 8 kg of hashish‑type cannabis in Samsun's Bafra district. www.bursahakimiyet.com.tr · www.mersinhaber.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Police seized firearms, ammunition and cash in several raids, including two pistols and 86 400 TL in Ankara. rayhaber.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Ezel Akay was released on judicial control after a drug‑related raid, while his brother Eren Kazım Akay was jailed. www.haber7.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Three suspects were arrested in Avcılar when police recovered synthetic cannabinoid “peçete” during a theft operation.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] 34 suspects were detained and 20, including alleged leader H. P., were arrested in a four‑province illegal betting raid organized by İzmir Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığı.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Malatya police seized 14,446 synthetic ecstasy pills, 181 g synthetic cannabinoid, 78 g raw cannabinoid, 173 g cannabis and 23 cannabis plants. rayhaber.com · www.malatyaguncel.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] In north Cyprus, three separate operations resulted in three arrests and the seizure of hint‑cannabis plants, synthetic‑cannabinoid‑filled papers and a mixed‑tobacco joint‑rolled cigarette. www.gundemkibris.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Niğde police seized 131.64 g cannabis, 48.19 g synthetic cannabinoid, 2.51 g methamphetamine and 40,400 TL cash. borhaber.net
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Gaziantep operation was carried out simultaneously in six provinces at 472 locations. www.avrupagazete.co.uk
- [● 2 SOURCES] Zeytinburun operation seized 115 kg of precursor material capable of producing 11.5 tons of drug and five drug‑manufacturing machines. www.gazetebirlik.com · www.karar.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Gaziantep 'Narko Kapan' operation resulted in the arrest of 382 individuals. www.avrupagazete.co.uk