Blow to organized crime groups in 9 provinces

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that 9 separate organized crime groups were dismantled through simultaneous operations conducted by Gendarmerie and Police units between March 19 and March 27, 2025. Within the scope of the operations, 142 suspects were taken into custody, 86 of whom were arrested, while judicial control measures were imposed on 19 others. Processing of the remaining suspects is ongoing.

OPERATIONS AGAINST 9 GROUPS IN 9 PROVINCES

According to the statement made by Yerlikaya on social media, the operations were carried out in Istanbul, Mersin, Kütahya, Balıkesir (2 separate operations), Adana, Sakarya, Antalya, and Kahramanmaraş.

In the operations conducted by the Gendarmerie:

H.Ö. in Kahramanmaraş,

B.P. in Adana,

B.İ. in Sakarya,

K.C.Ş. in Balıkesir,

M.K. in Antalya.

In the operations carried out by the Police:

B.G. in Istanbul (detained abroad),

M.K. in Mersin (fugitive abroad),

Ç.M. in Kütahya,

Organized crime groups operating under the leadership of Y.U. in Balıkesir were targeted.

RINGLEADERS APPREHENDED 

It was reported that the organization ringleaders named Ç.M., Y.U., H.Ö., K.C.Ş., B.P., B.İ., and M.K. were among those apprehended. The operations were carried out under the coordination of the Chief Public Prosecutor's Offices, the General Directorate of Security's Department of Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime (KOM), and the Gendarmerie General Command.

Proceedings initiated for numerous crimes

Investigations were launched against the apprehended suspects on the following charges:

Establishing an organization for the purpose of committing crimes,

Manufacturing and trafficking of narcotic substances,

Violation of the Firearms Law No. 6136,

Qualified robbery,

Attempted intentional homicide,

Threat with a weapon,

Laundering of assets derived from crime,

Intentionally endangering general safety,

Arms and ammunition smuggling,

Property damage,

Usury.

ITEMS SEIZED DURING OPERATIONS 

During the operations, a large number of weapons, narcotic substances, and smuggled materials were also seized. These included:

18 unlicensed pistols,

21 unlicensed shotguns,

1 AK-47 long-barreled weapon,

Various amounts of narcotic substances,

2 precision scales.

News Source: 12punto