13 billion lira heist prevented in operation codenamed Orkinos Bulut

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the details of the operation codenamed "Orkinos Bulut" targeting 4 separate international criminal organizations. A total of 234 suspects were apprehended, 9 of whom were abroad and 225 within the country. Assets worth approximately 13 billion lira were seized.

In a press conference, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya shared important information regarding the "Orkinos-Bulut" operation conducted against international organized drug trafficking networks. Yerlikaya announced that a total of 234 high-level criminal organization members were detained in simultaneous raids carried out in Turkey, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and Belgium.

10 PEOPLE WERE WANTED WITH RED NOTICES

Minister Yerlikaya stated that 10 of those captured within the scope of the operation were wanted with red notices, emphasizing that the operations are still ongoing and the fight against criminal networks continues with determination.

13 BILLION TL IN ASSETS SEIZED

In line with the findings made by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), 681 real estate properties, 127 vehicles, partnership shares in 113 companies, and bank accounts were seized as part of the operation. In total, assets worth approximately 13 billion TL were placed under state control.

HEAVY BLOW TO ORGANIZED CRIME

Yerlikaya stated that their targets were 4 separate drug-trafficking criminal organizations. It was determined that these organizations were involved not only in drug trafficking but also in serious crimes such as money laundering, intentional homicide, armed assault, kidnapping, and blackmail.

EMPHASIS ON EUROPOL COOPERATION

Stating that Europol played a critical role in the operation, Yerlikaya expressed that Turkish police officers worked together with European analysts at the Europol headquarters and that criminal networks were uncovered through joint operations. Saying, "This cooperation was significant enough to be noted in history," Yerlikaya stated that a major blow was dealt to drug traffickers across Europe.

Minister Yerlikaya said, “Criminal organizations should know very well that no place is safe for them. We are saying once again from here that we will find them in their dark holes and pull them out.”