Turkish authorities strike 15 criminal networks in nationwide operation

A large-scale operation targeting organized criminal groups has been carried out across 11 provinces in Türkiye, resulting in the detention and prosecution of dozens of suspects.

As TRT Haber reports, citing the country’s Ministry of Interior, 71 out of 158 suspects have been arrested by court order, while 75 others have been placed under judicial control. The remaining individuals are still undergoing procedural processing.

The ministry said the operations were conducted in coordination with the gendarmerie, cybercrime units, and chief public prosecutor’s offices as part of investigations into 15 separate criminal organizations.

It was established that suspects across various regions were involved in fraud schemes conducted via social media under the guise of “investment consultancy,” as well as drug trafficking, illegal gambling operations, document forgery, tobacco smuggling, and usury.

According to analysis by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), approximately 2.748 billion Turkish lira (around $85 million) passed through the suspects’ bank accounts.

The Interior Ministry emphasized that the fight against organized crime continues “resolutely and without interruption” in order to ensure security and public order across the country.

By Vafa Guliyeva