13.10.2026 10:43
42 suspects were caught in operations organized in 13 provinces centered in Istanbul against an international drug network. Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi announced that the assets of the network, which was found to be linked to 10 tons and 100 kilograms of drugs, worth 7 billion 657 million TL, were seized.
The Ministry of Interior announced that a simultaneous operation targeting an international drug network was launched in 13 provinces centered in Istanbul. A total of 2,000 personnel took part in the operations carried out this morning, and 42 suspects were apprehended. Within the scope of the operation, assets worth 7 billion 657 million TL, determined to have been obtained from crime, were seized.
Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi, in his statement regarding the operation, gave a message on fighting the proceeds of crime obtained from drug trafficking. Çiftçi emphasized that criminal organizations cannot escape accountability by hiding behind companies and real estate.
ENCRYPTED COMMUNICATION DATA REVEALED THE INTERNATIONAL NETWORK
The Department of Narcotics Crimes Combat, the Interpol-Europol Department, and MASAK provided support to the work carried out by the Istanbul Police Department's Narcotics Crimes Combat and Intelligence Branch Directorates under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
Within the scope of the work carried out, it was determined that the criminal organization, operating internationally, organized the manufacture, shipment, and distribution of drugs in different countries and provinces.
It was determined that the organization's managers took part in organizing drug trafficking, the procurement of chemical substances, and the transportation and logistics processes of international shipments.
Through the examination of encrypted communication data, the links between the organization's international supply and shipment activities and its domestic distribution network were uncovered. In the findings, it was determined that the network was linked to a total of 10 tons 100 kilograms of narcotics within the scope of heroin, cannabis, and cocaine trafficking.
ASSETS WORTH 7 BILLION 657 MILLION TL SEIZED
This morning, a simultaneous operation was carried out in 13 provinces centered in Istanbul, with the participation of 2,000 personnel, to apprehend the suspects.
As a result of the operations, assets worth a total of 7 billion 657 million TL, determined to have been obtained from crime, were seized.
The seized assets included bank accounts and crypto assets belonging to 163 natural persons, 556 immovable properties, 155 motor vehicles, and shareholdings in 71 companies.
MINISTER ÇİFTÇİ: WE WILL NOT LET THEM BUILD A FORTUNE FROM POISON OR A SULTANATE FROM CRIME!
Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi, in his statement regarding the operation, drew attention to the fight against revenues obtained from drug trafficking.
Stating that people who consider themselves untouchable with the money they obtained from drug trafficking cannot escape accountability by hiding behind companies and real estate, Çiftçi emphasized that they are pursuing not only drug sellers but also those who organize and finance this dirty trade and try to launder the proceeds of crime.
Çiftçi, stating that following a follow-up carried out with great sensitivity, the operation against the international drug network was carried out, reported that the criminal organization was found to be linked to 10 tons 100 kilograms of narcotics and that assets worth 7 billion 657 million TL were seized.
“YOUR DIRTY MONEY WILL NOT BE A SHIELD FOR YOU”
In his statement, Minister Çiftçi used the following expressions:
“Neither your dirty money will be a shield for you, nor will the fortune you obtained from crime save you!
By poisoning the future of this nation's children, we will bring the sultanate you established down on your heads!”
Emphasizing that the fight against drugs will continue with determination, Çiftçi congratulated the Police Organization, the Department of Narcotics Crimes Combat, the Istanbul Police Department, and the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office that took part in the operation.
Çiftçi concluded his statement with the words, “We will eradicate both the root of crime and the source of dirty money!”
The Ministry of Interior also announced that operations against drugs will continue uninterruptedly throughout the country in order to protect the future of young people and ensure the peace of families.