Turkey drug crackdown nets 381 arrests, 1.9 ton seized and celebrity cocaine cases
Turkey's interior ministry announced that coordinated drug‑trafficking operations were carried out in 69 provinces. 3,659 police personnel, 23 helicopters and 52 narcotics‑detection dogs seized 1 ton 916 kg of substances and 725,312 pills. Of the 974 suspects detained, 381 were ordered jailed and 98 placed under judicial control.
A related probe by the Bakırköy public prosecutor in Istanbul focused on 20 individuals, including several public figures. Tests found cocaine in the hair or blood of social‑media personalities Tarık Tunca Bakır, Aycan Yağcı, singer Eda Dora, Fatih Karaca (known as Mabel Matiz), actress Aslıhan Turanlı, Volkan Bahçekapılı and Yasemin İkbal. Earlier rounds had identified additional celebrities with THC or cocaine metabolites.
Authorities said the operations aim to protect youth, families and public safety and will continue.