Turkish security forces conducted extensive operations across sixteen provinces, resulting in the detained of 198 individuals allegedly connected to various organized criminal groups, according to the state broadcaster TRT Haber. These coordinated efforts took place in cities including Erzurum, Sakarya, Aydın, Kayseri, Adana, Mugla, and others. The operations involved cooperation between anti-smuggling and organized crime units from the Gendarmerie General Command, the Cybercrime Department, chief public prosecutors, and the Financial Crimes Investigation Board, as stated by the Ministry of Interior.
Of the 198 suspects detained, 105 were placed in pre-trial detention, and 75 were released under judicial supervision. Authorities determined that several groups were involved in different criminal activities. In Erzurum, Sakarya, Aydın, Kayseri, and Giresun, some groups were accused of defrauding citizens via “investment consulting” on social media.
In Adana and Mugla, others allegedly used coercion and threats to illicitly gain funds from businesses. Furthermore, multiple groups were implicated in drug trafficking, moving narcotics from eastern provinces like Kahramanmaras and Ağrı to the western region of Tekirdağ. Criminal activities also spanned illegal betting operations in the Black Sea region, document forgery in Tunceli, arms smuggling in Manisa, and illegal lending with high interest rates in Balıkesir, Eskişehir, and Bitlis.
Following the operations, authorities froze over 1,000 bank accounts and confiscated 24 properties and 16 vehicles. During searches, numerous digital materials, documents, cash, and narcotics were seized.
Topics: #operations #detained #organized
