11.02.2025 09:35
In the "Cell-10" operation conducted in Istanbul, counterfeit cancer drugs with a market value of approximately 2 billion lira were seized. Six out of eight suspects involved in the production of counterfeit drugs, including the ringleader, were arrested.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that an operation named "Cell-10" was carried out against an organized crime group engaged in the production of counterfeit drugs, led by K.U., in Istanbul. Sharing details about the operation, Minister Yerlikaya stated that counterfeit cancer drugs with a market value of approximately 2 billion lira were seized.
6 SUSPECTS ARRESTED
Yerlikaya said, "In the operation; 8 suspects, who are counterfeit drug manufacturers, were caught. 6 of them were arrested, and judicial control measures were imposed on 2." As a result of the operations, 5 million counterfeit drugs, 100,000 empty drug boxes, 32,000 brand labels, 9 filling machines used in the production of counterfeit drugs, 350 kg of powdered raw material, and 60,000 various medical supplies were seized.
INVESTIGATION INITIATED
Minister Yerlikaya stated, "I want our esteemed nation to know that our operations against these gangs, which have no sense of humanity, will continue resolutely." He added, "In coordination with the Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the Gendarmerie General Command's KOM Department, as a result of intelligence work carried out by the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command, it was determined that members of the organized crime group, who were producing counterfeit cancer drugs in 4 separate warehouses and 1 manufacturing facility, have been subjected to an investigation by our prosecutors for the crimes of Establishing an Organization to Commit Crimes and Producing Counterfeit Drugs in a Manner that Endangers the Life and Health of Individuals."