200 Detained in Turkiye in Operation against Organized Crime

Turkish security forces conducted extensive operations across sixteen provinces, leading to the detention of 198 individuals allegedly linked to various organized criminal activities. According to state broadcaster TRT Haber, these actions took place in cities including Erzurum, Sakarya, Aydın, Kayseri, and others. The coordinated efforts involved anti-smuggling and organized crime units from the Gendarmerie General Command and the Cybercrime Department, working alongside the chief public prosecutors and the Financial Crimes Investigation Board.

Of the 198 suspects detained, 105 were placed in pre-trial detention, while 75 were released under judicial supervision pending trial. The investigation uncovered several types of criminal activity. In Erzurum, Sakarya, Aydın, Kayseri, and Giresun, suspects were found to have defrauded citizens by promoting “investment consulting” via social media.

In Adana and Mugla, others allegedly coerced businesses for illegal financial gains. Furthermore, several groups were implicated in drug trafficking, moving substances from Kahramanmaras and Ağrı in the east to Tekirdağ in the west. Other criminal activities reported included the operation of illegal betting websites and money transfer facilitation in the Black Sea region, particularly Sinop.

Groups in Tunceli were involved in forging official documents, while arms smuggling occurred in Manisa. Illegal money lending with high interest rates was practiced in Balıkesir, Eskişehir, and Bitlis. As a result of the operations, authorities froze over 1,000 bank accounts and confiscated 24 properties and 16 vehicles.

Searches at the suspects’ residences yielded digital materials, documents, cash, and narcotics.

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