Second wave in 'Kara Haydar' investigation: Millions in euros and dollars seized in vehicles
In an Ankara-led investigation, a large amount of foreign currency was found during searches of vehicles in Maslak, Istanbul, and one person was detained.
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An operation was carried out in Istanbul as part of an investigation into Mehmet Fatih Tançalan, known as "Kara Haydar" from Van. It was stated that the investigation, coordinated by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, is being conducted on charges of "laundering assets derived from crime."
As a result of the work by the Ankara Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Branch teams, it was determined that money believed to belong to Tançalan was hidden in vehicles located in the Maslak neighborhood of Istanbul's Sarıyer district.
During the operation conducted on September 26, 2026, at approximately 02:00, searches were carried out in the vehicles where the money was said to be hidden. A large amount of foreign currency consisting of high-denomination euro and dollar banknotes was seized during the searches.
BREAKDOWN OF THE FOREIGN CURRENCY FOUND IN THE VEHICLES
According to information reflected in the investigation file, 20,000 500-euro notes, 29,300 200-euro notes, 3,200 100-euro notes, and 5,200 50-euro notes were found in the vehicles. Thus, the total amount of euros seized reached 16 million 440 thousand euros across 57,700 banknotes.
Additionally, 7,000 100-dollar banknotes were seized during the searches. It was reported that this amount corresponds to a total of 700 thousand dollars. While initial reports noted that the money found in the vehicles amounted to approximately 934 million TL, the breakdown regarding the TL equivalent of the foreign currency included 919.3 million TL for the euros and 34.259 million TL for the dollars.
Two automobiles believed to have been used in the crime were confiscated as part of the operation. One suspect was detained in the investigation, and it was reported that judicial proceedings have been initiated against the suspect.
In the investigation conducted by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it is expected that the source of the seized cash, the financial transactions from which it was obtained, and its connection to the money laundering charges will be investigated.