Türkiye smashes drug cash network, seizes $330 million in assets

An investigation in Türkiye into the laundering of proceeds from drug trafficking has led to proceedings against 18 suspects and the seizure of assets worth an estimated 15 billion Turkish lira ($330 million), authorities said.

The operation, centred in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır, was carried out under the coordination of the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, in cooperation with the Anti-Terror Financing and Money Laundering Bureau and the provincial gendarmerie command, Caliber.Az reports, citing Turkish media.

Officials said the probe focused on the production and trafficking of narcotics and the laundering of related criminal proceeds.

Following around eight months of technical and physical surveillance, investigators concluded that the suspects had allegedly channelled illicit revenues into various forms of property and financial assets.

As part of the operation, 18 suspects were placed under investigation on charges including “laundering assets derived from crime” as well as drug trafficking offences under relevant Turkish legislation. Five separate case files were opened in connection with the inquiry.

Authorities also reported the seizure of a wide range of assets, including a 4-star hotel in İzmir’s Çeşme district, land and agricultural plots totalling 970 decares in Diyarbakır, additional property in Çeşme, residential apartments, commercial units, vehicles, public transport assets, and more than 100 bank accounts.

Officials said the total value of the confiscated assets is estimated at approximately 15 billion Turkish lira. The investigation is ongoing.

By Aghakazim Guliyev