14.05.2026 11:01
In a simultaneous drug operation organized in 23 provinces centered in Diyarbakır, 405 suspects were detained. While the operation uncovered a drug network ranging from street dealers to crime organization leaders, it was revealed that the suspects had over 3,000 criminal records.
Deputy Minister of Interior Ali Çelik announced in a statement at the Diyarbakır Provincial Police Department that a large-scale operation centered in Diyarbakır was carried out within the scope of the fight against drugs.
Çelik stated that in the studies conducted under the coordination of the General Directorate of Security's Department of Anti-Narcotic Crimes, in line with the instructions of Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi, street dealers known as "torbacı" were identified one by one.
Stating that the organizational connections and drug distribution networks of the suspects were uncovered as a result of technical, physical, and analytical studies, Çelik announced that simultaneous operations were carried out at 302 addresses in 23 provinces, including Antalya, Konya, Muğla, Ankara, İzmir, Bursa, Hatay, Şanlıurfa, and Mersin, with Diyarbakır as the center.
405 SUSPECTS DETAINED
A total of 2,670 police officers, hundreds of teams, air support units, drones, and narcotics detector dogs took part in the operation.
Ali Çelik stated that a very heavy blow was dealt to the drug supply chain through operations that continued throughout the night, and noted that security forces targeted not only street dealers but also the financiers, organizers, and digital connections of the criminal network.
Within the scope of the operation, 405 suspects were detained.
SUSPECTS HAVE OVER 3,000 CRIMINAL RECORDS
Çelik, stating that the criminal records of the suspects processed within the scope of the operation were examined, announced that a total of over 3,000 criminal records were identified.
It was reported that the suspects were determined to be linked to theft, intentional injury, threats, insult, fraud, robbery, sexual crimes, and various violent incidents, in addition to drug trafficking.
Çelik emphasized that drugs are a multifaceted security problem threatening public order and family structure, saying, "Where there are drugs, there is violence, there is crime, there is unrest."
"WE WILL NOT LEAVE ANY STREET UNATTENDED"
Ali Çelik, stating that there will be no concessions in the fight against drugs, said that protecting especially young people and children is their main priority.
Çelik used the expressions, "We will not leave any neighborhood, any street, or any school surroundings unattended in this fight."
STATEMENT FROM MINISTER OF JUSTICE GÜRLEK
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek also stated in a statement on his social media account that the operation was carried out under the coordination of the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
Gürlek stated that in the studies carried out with months-long technical surveillance and special investigation methods, the drug network extending from street dealers to crime organization leaders was uncovered.
Gürlek, stating that comprehensive proceedings were initiated against 405 suspects in the operation, thanked the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the General Directorate of Security's Department of Anti-Narcotic Crimes, and the Diyarbakır Provincial Police Department teams.