Türkiye: Operation Hücre-11 nabs 23 fraudsters, seizes firearms and financial documents

In Türkiye, authorities have dismantled an organized criminal group (OCG) in Izmir as part of Operation Hücre-11. The operation targeted a fraud ring involved in large-scale illegal activities.

Ali Yerlikaya, the head of the Turkish Interior Ministry, shared the details of the operation through a post on social media platform X, per Caliber.Az.

İzmir'de Tefecilere ve dolandırıcılara yönelik Mali Suç Örgütlerine düzenlenen “HÜCRE-11” operasyonunda 23 şüpheli yakalandı.❗️

Aziz Milletimizin Bilmesini İsterim ki;
Organize suç örgütleri gibi tefecilere de göz açtırmayacağız. Ülkemizin dört bir yanında kararlılıkla… pic.twitter.com/LExN2cH2dl

— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) February 12, 2025

He reported, "During the operation conducted in Izmir, 23 suspects who were members of an organized criminal group of fraudsters were detained. It was found that the detained suspects fraudulently obtained about 30 million Turkish liras in undue profits from their victims."

Authorities also seized several items during the operation. "Unregistered shotguns, a large number of checks, bills of exchange, as well as diaries and notebooks containing the victims' data were seized," Yerlikaya added in his statement.

Earlier on February 11, Yerlikaya reported on another significant operation in Istanbul. In the "Hücre-10" operation targeting a criminal group producing fake cancer drugs, six out of eight suspects were remanded in custody. Yerlikaya disclosed that approximately 2 billion lira worth of counterfeit cancer drugs had been seized.

"Six of the eight suspects were arrested, while two others were released under judicial control. The operation led to the seizure of 5 million counterfeit drugs, 100,000 empty drug boxes, 32,000 brand labels, nine filling machines used in the production of fake drugs, 350 kilograms of raw powder material, and 60 various medical supplies," Yerlikaya explained.

He emphasized the ongoing commitment to combat these dangerous groups. "Our operations against these gangs, which have no regard for humanity, will continue resolutely," he stated. "As a result of intelligence work carried out by the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command, in coordination with the Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the Gendarmerie General Command's Organized Crime Department, it was determined that suspects from the organized crime group were producing fake cancer drugs in four warehouses and one manufacturing facility. Prosecutors have initiated an investigation against the suspects for forming an organization to commit crimes and producing counterfeit drugs that endanger people's lives and health."

By Tamilla Hasanova