18.01.2026 11:50
As part of the investigation into the seizure of 10 tons of drugs on a ship in Spain, simultaneous operations were carried out in 6 provinces in Turkey, resulting in the detention of 7 suspects. The assets of 2 of the suspects and United Shipping Ship Agency Industry and Trade Limited Company were confiscated.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for Smuggling, Narcotics, and Economic Crimes has initiated an investigation ex officio following reports in some national print and visual media stating that "10 tons of narcotic substances were seized in an operation on a ship in the Atlantic Ocean."
10 TONS OF NARCOTIC SUBSTANCES SEIZED
On January 7, it was learned that 10 tons of cocaine were seized in an operation carried out by Spanish security forces on the ship named UNITED S, which was sailing in international waters off the Canary Islands, and that 13 crew members, 4 of whom are Turkish, were captured. It was determined that K.Y., A.O.A., R.K., and A.A., who were on board as crew, are detained in Spain.
7 SUSPECTS DETAINED
Within the scope of the investigation, simultaneous raids were conducted on a total of 19 addresses, including 11 in Istanbul, 3 in Mersin, 2 in Tekirdağ, 1 in Kocaeli, 1 in Sakarya, and 1 in Hatay, by the Istanbul Police Department's Narcotic Crimes Branch. In the operations, suspects named Ç.G., E.Ç., M.Y., A.A., S.A., M.B.A., and F.D. were detained on charges of "establishing an organization," "drug trafficking, and laundering assets obtained from the crime."
3 SUSPECTS FLEEING ABROAD
It was determined that 3 suspects are fleeing abroad within the scope of the investigation, and it was learned that arrest warrants have been issued for the suspects and that red notice procedures are ongoing.
ASSETS SEIZED
It was recorded that all movable and immovable assets of the suspects, Ç.G., A.A., and United Shipping Ship Agency Industry and Trade Limited Company (Kamer Shipping), as well as their shares in the company and partnerships, deposits and investment accounts in banks and financial institutions, and assets in the cryptocurrency market and exchanges have been seized ex officio.