Turkish authorities dismantle "Lovers" crime group in multi-province operation VIDEO

Türkiye’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya has announced the arrest of nine individuals, including the alleged ringleader, in a sweeping, coordinated police operation targeting the organized crime group known as "Sevenler" (Lovers).

In a statement shared on social media, Minister Yerlikaya outlined the scope and execution of the high-level operation, which spanned six provinces and was centrally coordinated from Edirne, Caliber.Az reports.

Elebaşılığını N.S.’nin yaptığı “Sevenler” Organize Suç Örgütüne yönelik Edirne merkezli 6 ilde dün eşzamanlı olarak düzenlediğimiz operasyonlarımızda; elebaşının da içerisinde bulunduğu organize suç örgütü üyesi 9 şüpheliyi yakaladık❗️

Edirne Cumhuriyet Başsavcılığımız ile… pic.twitter.com/QzgCkSPBs8

— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) June 18, 2025

"Yesterday, in simultaneous operations launched across six provinces based in Edirne, we apprehended nine suspects, including the leader of the 'Sevenler' organized crime group," Yerlikaya stated.

The investigation was spearheaded by the Edirne Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in cooperation with the Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Department (KOM) of the Turkish National Police. Law enforcement agencies carried out coordinated raids at 16 separate locations across Edirne, Istanbul, Batman, Mersin, Zonguldak, and Izmir.

According to authorities, the suspects are being investigated on charges of:

Establishing and participating in a criminal organization;

Money laundering of illicit gains;

Human smuggling

The raids resulted in the seizure of a cache of illegal items, including:

Three unlicensed handguns;

Two unlicensed hunting rifles;

Two automobiles;

Numerous passports;

Minister Yerlikaya commended the efforts of all participating agencies, including the Edirne governorate, the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, and local law enforcement for their seamless coordination and execution of the mission.

"We remain resolute in our fight against organized crime. No criminal or crime syndicate will go unpunished," he added.

By Vafa Guliyeva