The Ministry of Interior announced that 42 suspects were arrested in simultaneous operations targeting an international drug network across 13 provinces, centered in Istanbul. As part of the operation, assets totaling 7 billion 657 million TL, assessed to have been obtained from crime and used in money laundering activities, were seized.
According to the ministry's statement, the work was carried out under the coordination of the General Directorate of Security's Department of Anti-Narcotic Crimes, the Interpol-Europol Department, the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), and the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The Istanbul Provincial Police Department's Anti-Narcotic Crimes and Intelligence branches also participated in the operations.
Approximately 2,000 personnel took part in the operations conducted in Istanbul as well as in Antalya, Bursa, Diyarbakır, Edirne, Hakkari, Hatay, Kayseri, Kocaeli, Mersin, Sakarya, Samsun, and Van.
CONNECTION TO 10 TONS OF DRUGS IDENTIFIED
The statement indicated that the arrested suspects were assessed to have organized the production, shipment, and distribution of narcotics in different countries and provinces. It was also stated that the suspects managed the procurement of chemical substances as well as the transport and logistics processes for international shipments.
It was noted that by examining encrypted communication data, the connections between the organization's international supply activities and its distribution network within Turkey were uncovered. The ministry announced that it was determined the network was linked to a total of 10 tons 100 kilograms of heroin, cannabis, and cocaine.
The seized assets included bank accounts and crypto assets belonging to 163 individuals, 556 real estate properties, 155 motor vehicles, and partnership shares in 71 companies.
Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi also stated in a post on his social media account, "We are not only after the poison dealers, but also those who organize this dirty trade, finance it, and attempt to launder the proceeds of crime." Çiftçi thanked the police units and the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office involved in the operations.
News Source: 12punto
