Turkish authorities dismantle major organised crime group in Istanbul 89 suspects detained/ VIDEO

Turkish security forces have arrested 89 individuals and seized a cache of illegal weapons in a sweeping crackdown on an organised crime group operating in Istanbul, Interior Minister announced on July 14.

The group, reportedly led by a fugitive identified only as İ.A., who is currently wanted on an international red notice, is accused of committing 116 criminal acts. The offenses include intentional homicide, aggravated robbery, drug trafficking, and forgery of official documents. Members of the group are also suspected of using stolen vehicles and motorcycles to carry out crimes such as public endangerment, threats, and vehicle theft, Caliber.Az reports per Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya's post on X. 

Elebaşılığını kırmızı bültenle aranan İ.A.'nın (yurt dışı firar) yaptığı ORGANİZE SUÇ ÖRGÜTÜNE yönelik İstanbul'da düzenlenen operasyonlarımızda 89 şüpheliyi yakaladık 214 ruhsatsız tabanca ele geçirdik" ❗

Motosiklet ve çalıntı araç kullanılarak;
🔻Kasten öldürme,
🔻Kasten… pic.twitter.com/bKA93vyBXQ

— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) July 14, 2025

According to teh minister, the operation was coordinated by the Istanbul Governor’s Office and the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, with tactical execution by the Istanbul Provincial Police Department.

During coordinated raids at 250 separate locations, including three weapons-manufacturing workshops allegedly supplying arms to the organisation, police recovered: 214 unlicensed firearms; 3 long-barreled rifles; 1 pen gun; 5 bulletproof vests; 2 stolen motorcycles, and various quantities of narcotic substances.

In addition to the arrests and seizures, authorities also blocked access to 40 social media accounts believed to have been used by the crime group for propaganda and recruitment.

“I congratulate our heroic police officers and all units involved in this successful operation,” Yerlikaya said. “We will continue our fight against organized crime groups with determination to ensure that no crime or criminal goes unpunished.”

By Sabina Mammadli