11.10.2026 17:10
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek announced the results of operations conducted against drugs, illegal betting, and criminal organizations. In efforts covering the February-September 2026 period, thousands of operations were carried out in 81 provinces, and judicial proceedings were initiated against tens of thousands of suspects. Gürlek stated that in investigations targeting the financial resources of criminal organizations, billions of lira worth of assets were seized.
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek announced that 7,818 operations were carried out in 81 provinces during the February-September 2026 period against drugs, illegal betting, online gambling, and new-generation criminal organizations. Gürlek stated that judicial proceedings were initiated against 70,853 suspects in the operations, 32,882 suspects were arrested, and billions of lira worth of criminal assets were seized.
OPERATIONS AGAINST CRIMINAL ORGANIZATIONS IN 81 PROVINCES
In a statement on his social media account, Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek stated that the fight against criminal organizations is being carried out resolutely across the country.
Noting that the efforts carried out under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan are being conducted under the coordination of the Ministry of Justice, Gürlek drew attention to the cooperation of relevant institutions, particularly the Chief Public Prosecutors' Offices, the National Intelligence Organization (MİT), the Police and Gendarmerie organizations, the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), and the Tax Inspection Board.
In 7,818 operations organized in 81 provinces during the February-September 2026 period, judicial proceedings were carried out against 70,853 suspects. Of these people, 32,882 were arrested, while judicial control measures were imposed on 15,826 suspects.
NARCOTICS WORTH OVER 30 BILLION LIRA SEIZED
Within the scope of the investigations, narcotics with a market value exceeding 30 billion lira were seized. During the operations, cash of over 1.4 billion lira, 17 million euros, and 1.7 million dollars was also seized.
In financial examinations, a transaction volume of 2.54 trillion lira, 9.08 billion dollars, and 3.49 million euros was identified.
THOUSANDS OF PROPERTIES AND VEHICLES SEIZED
Within the scope of actions targeting the assets of criminal organizations, 9,030 real properties, 1,556 vehicles, and 22 marine vessels were seized. In addition, judicial proceedings were carried out against 803 companies and businesses.
According to the statement, freezing or blocking measures were applied to 38,058 bank and crypto accounts, while access to 28,245 websites and accounts linked to illegal betting, gambling, and new-generation criminal organizations was blocked.
“WE WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO GAIN POWER THROUGH CRIME REVENUES”
In his statement, Minister Gürlek emphasized that not only the activities of criminal organizations but also their financial resources and assets are being targeted.
Thanking the public institutions and personnel involved in the fight, Gürlek stated that they will not allow criminal organizations to disrupt citizens' peace, darken the future of young people, and gain power through crime revenues. He stated that the fight will continue with the same determination and resolve.