Istanbul police detain nearly 300 in coordinated anti-drug action Video

Turkish security forces have arrested more than 270 suspects in a sweeping anti-narcotics operation across Istanbul, in one of the largest coordinated efforts this year targeting the city's illegal drug networks.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the crackdown—dubbed Narkokapan İstanbul 2—on his official X account, highlighting the government’s intensified campaign to dismantle the infrastructure of narcotics distribution in urban centres, Caliber.Az reports.

“NARKOKAPAN-İSTANBUL 2 operasyonumuzda 272 torbacı gözaltına alındı.”

Uyuşturucu Madde satıcılarına yönelik eş zamanlı olarak İstanbul’da gerçekleştirdiğimiz operasyonlarda; 272 torbacı yakalandı.

🔻Operasyondaki hedefimiz özellikle gençlerimize musallat olan mahalle ve sokak… pic.twitter.com/OMitMpaF9P

— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) May 22, 2025

"This operation marks a decisive strike against drug trafficking in Istanbul," Yerlikaya stated, confirming that 272 individuals allegedly linked to the distribution of illegal substances were taken into custody.

By Aghakazim Guliyev