[REVISION HISTORY]

Turkey intensifies crackdown on crime, drugs and betting

Updated 13 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-23 10:32 UTC → 2026-08-26 10:53 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Turkey’s security drive intensified throughout July 2026, adding new layers to the multi‑front campaign against organised crime, drug trafficking, illegal gambling and terrorism. On 3 July, coordinated sweeps in 16 provinces detained 228 suspects linked to 22 organised‑crime networks, while a parallel cyber‑crime operation arrested 306 individuals. In late July, the crackdown expanded significantly. The “Narko Kapan” operation targeted 472 locations across six provinces, resulting in 382 arrests and the seizure of large quantities of narcotics and precursor chemicals. In Istanbul, authorities seized three tonnes of pregabalin at Ambarlı Port and used AI-driven analysis to dismantle an illegal-betting network via SMS advertisements. Another major blow to illegal gambling occurred with the dismantling of the “IQ Money” syndicate, which involved 155 billion TL in betting traffic and led to 206 arrests. Authorities also targeted digital and illicit trade sectors. Officials reported blocking 6,644 social-media accounts linked to terrorism or disinformation. Smuggling operations in Eskişehir and Diyarbakır seized massive quantities of tobacco and contraband tea. Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi noted that since the start of 2026, 1,365 operations against 513 organised-crime groups have resulted in 6,165 arrests. He emphasized that illegal betting poses a “national-security threat,” estimating its annual cost to the country at $40 billion. In ~~mid-August 2026,~~ late August, operations ~~continued in Niğde~~ expanded into complex financial and ~~Manisa. In Niğde, joint police~~ cybercrime sectors. Authorities targeted Dinamikpay Elektronik Para ve Ödeme Hizmetleri A. Ş., identifying it as a vehicle for illegal betting and ~~gendarmerie actions against narcotics, smuggling,~~ money laundering with a transfer volume of approximately 17.9 billion TL between 2024 and ~~illegal excavations~~ 2025. This operation led to ~~349 individuals facing legal action.~~ the seizure of the company, various assets, and the freezing of 126 bank and cryptocurrency accounts. Simultaneously, a major investigation ~~spanning 21 provinces targeted illegal betting, fraud, and~~ in Gaziantep uncovered a scheme involving 13.76 billion TL in suspicious money ~~laundering. By late August, Minister Çiftçi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to aggressive counter-terrorism~~ movements and organized crime policies, stating, “The state does not take its hand off the trigger.” He clarified that the approach is a continuous effort to dismantle terrorist structures rather than an amnesty process. VAT fraud through illegal currency transfers.

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