Celebrity-linked drug probe in Türkiye leads to 22 detentions in major operation

In Türkiye, 22 people have been detained as part of an investigation into drug-related offences involving well-known figures from the entertainment industry.

According to Hürriyet, police teams from the Istanbul Security Directorate carried out an operation in the morning on the orders of the city’s Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.

Among those detained were Kenan Doğulu, a singer-songwriter and composer; Beren Saat, an actress; Enis Arıkan, an actor and television presenter; and Kerimcan Durmaz, a DJ and social media influencer. Media reports indicate that the number of detainees could increase.

After undergoing medical checks, the detainees were taken to the central office of the Narcotics Crimes Department in the Küçükçekmece district to give statements.

This latest operation is part of a broader series of anti-narcotics efforts in Türkiye that have increasingly targeted high-profile figures in the entertainment industry over recent months.

In May 2026, another major wave saw detention orders for 25 suspects, encompassing actress Serenay Sarıkaya and singer Mabel Matiz, with raids yielding multiple arrests amid evidence from surveillance and digital materials.

In April 2026, an operation led by the Beykoz Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office resulted in the detention of singers such as Simge Sağın, Mustafa Ceceli, Bengü Erden, and Melek Mosso, along with actor İbrahim Çelikkol, on charges related to drug purchase, possession, and use.

Earlier, in October 2025, authorities summoned around 19 celebrities—including actresses Berrak Tüzünataç and Demet Evgar, and singer Hadise Açıkgöz—for questioning and blood tests as part of a probe into alleged personal drug use.

By Jeyhun Aghazada