# Istanbul police expand tech‑driven security sweeps > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/istanbul-police-drone-crime-initiative > Updated: 2026-07-31T06:09:54.000Z. Sources: 25. Developments: 7. On 31 July 2026 Police Chief Selami Yıldız led a further anti‑crime inspection in the Esenyurt district as part of the city‑wide “Huzur İstanbul” campaign. The operation, organized by the Istanbul Police Directorate, employed helicopters, drones and multiple ground units to stop and search vehicles, run General Information Database checks on drivers and passengers, and examine bags and belongings. Yıldız met residents, handed out small gifts to children and reiterated the force’s pledge to dismantle organised‑crime networks, stating “from the leader to the shooter, we will root out every criminal network.” The crackdown was highlighted in a promotional video that featured the slogan “Gök Kubbe, Mavi Vatan, Şanlı Topraklar,” underscoring the force’s readiness across land, air and sea. More than 2,000 officers, road checkpoints and aerial support were deployed city‑wide, resulting in 726 arrests, the seizure of 24 illegal firearms, 797 g of narcotics and fines exceeding 2.2 million Turkish lira. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-31: Istanbul Police Chief Selami Yıldız Leads Citywide Crime Crackdown Istanbul Police Chief Selami Yıldız led a citywide crackdown, featuring a multi‑media showcase, an Esenyurt inspection, and the 'Huzur Istanbul' operation that arrested 726 people, seized weapons and drugs, and 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istanbul-police-chief-selami-yldz-leads-anticrime-sweep-in-esenyurt ### 2026-07-17: Istanbul Police Launch Helicopter‑Supported Security Sweep Istanbul police conducted a helicopter‑backed “Huzur İstanbul” sweep, stopping vehicles, searching individuals and issuing helmet fines, with no incidents reported. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istanbul-police-launch-helicoptersupported-security-sweep ### 2026-07-03: Istanbul Police Chief Selami Yıldız Oversees Drone‑Supported Narcotics Sweep in Şişli Istanbul Police Chief Selami Yıldız oversaw a drone‑assisted narcotics sweep in Şişli’s Kuştepe, with multiple police units stopping vehicles, using drug dogs, and searching suspects, while he addressed locals. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istanbul-police-chief-selami-yldz-oversees-dronesupported-narcotics-sweep-in-ili ### 2026-07-03: Istanbul Police Chief Selami Yıldız leads drone‑assisted drug raid in Şişli Istanbul Police Chief Selami Yıldız supervised a drone‑assisted drug and public‑order raid in Şişli’s Kuştepe, where police stopped vehicles, used drug‑dogs, performed identity checks, and he spoke with locals, 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istanbul-police-chief-selami-yldz-leads-droneassisted-drug-raid-in-ili-1 ### 2026-07-03: Istanbul Police Chief Selami Yıldız leads drone‑assisted drug raid in Şişli Istanbul Police Chief Selami Yıldız led a drone‑assisted drug and security sweep in Şişli’s Kuştepe area, stopping vehicles, using drug dogs, and speaking to locals about police vigilance. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istanbul-police-chief-selami-yldz-leads-droneassisted-drug-raid-in-ili ### 2026-06-25: Istanbul Police Chief Selami Yıldız Leads Drone‑Assisted Security Operation in Avcılar Istanbul Police Chief Selami Yıldız oversaw a drone‑aided security sweep in Avcılar, stopping vehicles, questioning suspects and reassuring residents as part of the city’s ongoing peace operation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istanbul-police-chief-selami-yldz-leads-droneassisted-security-operation-in-avclar ### 2026-06-15: Istanbul police use drones to catch pickpocket suspects and make arrests Istanbul police used drone surveillance to locate and arrest two men involved in six pickpocket crimes across Fatih, Eyüpsultan, Şişli and Beşiktaş, seizing phones, weapons and drugs. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istanbul-police-use-drones-to-catch-pickpocket-suspects-and-make-arrests --- Cite as: Istanbul police expand tech‑driven security sweeps. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/istanbul-police-drone-crime-initiative