Organized crime and extortion investigations in Turkey

Law enforcement authorities in Turkey have conducted several operations targeting organized crime groups involved in extortion and armed attacks.

In Muğla, a joint investigation by intelligence and organized crime units led to the arrest of three suspects following an armed attack. The investigation revealed that the suspects had conducted reconnaissance in Aydın before shooting at a victim's vehicle in an attempt to extort 13.75 million Turkish lira.

Separately, an investigation by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office into an İzmir-based criminal organization resulted in the arrest of 28 suspects. The group, allegedly led by H. E., used weapons and intimidation to force business partners to pay protection money and funneled illicit funds into the bank accounts of relatives. Operations targeting this group took place across İzmir, Istanbul, and Ankara, with a total of 39 individuals currently in custody related to the investigation.

In a recent development related to these efforts, Istanbul Police's Organized Crime Branch intercepted a suspect, S. G., while attempting to flee the country. S. G., who is linked to a criminal organization led by the fugitive S. Ö., was discovered hiding in a secret compartment of a truck at the Hamzabeyli Customs Gate in Edirne. The suspect, identified as having been involved in three separate crimes in 2024, was taken into custody as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle the network.