Murat Bakan questions Ali Yerlikaya on drug operation

Approximately 10 tons of cocaine were seized and 13 suspects were detained in the "Marea Blanca" operation, which was conducted in cooperation with the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Brazilian Federal Police, the UK National Crime Agency (NCA), France, and Portugal. With the examination of the ship's route, it was stated that the operation was recorded as one of the largest drug seizures in Europe.

According to information reflected in the public domain, it was reported that a ship departing from Turkey headed directly to Europe via the Atlantic without stopping at South American ports in order to reduce potential suspicion, and that it was planned to transfer a portion of the cocaine to the sea before reaching the Strait of Gibraltar. It was noted that one of the crew members was armed, and that the transported drugs were planned to be distributed quickly to different points.

CHP Deputy Chairman responsible for Interior Policies and İzmir MP Murat Bakan criticized Turkey's absence from the operation in question and brought the issue to the agenda of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM).

CHP'S BAKAN'S CRITICISMS AND QUESTIONS

In his assessment, Murat Bakan criticized the reduction of the fight against drugs in Turkey to "catching street dealers" and included the following statements:

“Spain carried out the largest drug operation in European history. It did this drug operation with international solidarity. The US Drug Enforcement Administration, the Brazilian police, the French police, and the Portuguese police supported Spain. Together with the support of Interpol, Europol, and all international organizations, they seized 10 tons of cocaine off the Canary Islands. We are asking Ali Yerlikaya; Hey Ali Yerlikaya, you are chasing street dealers, you are catching them, catch them; you are catching influencers, internet celebrities, and actors who use drugs, catch them, we are not saying don't do that either. But the fight against drugs in Turkey cannot be reduced to catching street dealers. The UN Office on Drugs and Crime says; 'You cannot fight drugs by looking at the number of seizures and operations.' It says you must dismantle the organization; you must follow the money - where the money comes from and where it goes -; you must cut off the money and financial resources and reduce consumption, it says.

Consumption is increasing in Turkey, financial resources are not being cut off, large organizations are not being dismantled; there is an Interior Ministry that chases street dealers and celebrities. I ask Ali Yerlikaya; why is Turkey not in this 10-ton cocaine operation? Why is Turkey not in international cooperation? What are you doing in the fight against drugs other than chasing street dealers?”

Murat Bakan also submitted a comprehensive parliamentary question questioning the effectiveness of the Ministry of Interior in large-scale international operations and the level of Turkey's information sharing with international institutions.

The questions Bakan directed to Ali Yerlikaya were as follows:

1. Were the Republic of Turkey authorities informed within the framework of the "Marea Blanca" operation conducted by Spanish authorities, in which approximately 9,994 kilograms of cocaine were seized?
2. Has any investigation been conducted by the Ministry of Interior or relevant units regarding the possible connection of the ship named "United S", with IMO number 7359149, which was the subject of the operation, to a Turkish company?
3. Did Turkey engage in direct judicial or intelligence information sharing with the law enforcement units of the US, Brazil, the UK, France, Portugal, and Spain within the scope of the operation? Through which institutions and in what scope was it processed?
4. Why was Turkey not in active cooperation with the international units involved in the operation?
5. What is the number of investigations conducted within the scope of international drug shipments originating from or connected to Turkey in the last five years, and to what extent were the high-level managers of these organizations reached?
6. How does the Ministry evaluate the criticisms regarding the targeting of street-level dealers instead of files related to high-volume and organized crime?
7. Does the Ministry of Interior have a new strategy or action plan targeting the organizational structure, financial, and logistical networks in the fight against drugs?
8. Considering the public opinion that the fight against drugs is more tabloid-focused, is a legal regulation planned to ensure more transparency and accountability?

News Source: 12punto