27.08.2025 16:24
As part of an investigation into illegal diamonds in Istanbul, operations were carried out at 23 businesses in the Grand Bazaar. During the operation, 40 suspects were detained, and diamonds, precious stones, jewelry, and historical artifacts valued at 1 billion 250 million lira were seized.
With the instruction of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the Anti-Smuggling Crimes Branch conducted operations and detained 10 suspects who brought diamonds and various precious stones into our country through illegal means and purchased them despite knowing they were smuggled. As a result of the operation, 155 kilograms and 602 grams of precious stones and 945 pieces of jewelry were seized. The approximate market value of the seized precious stones is estimated to be 445 million 750 thousand lira.
INVESTIGATION DEEPENED, 40 SUSPECTS DETAINED
Following the statements of the suspects, the investigation was deepened. Operations were also carried out at some businesses in the Grand Bazaar. During the operation, 23 businesses were searched, and 40 suspects were detained.
1 BILLION 250 MILLION WORTH OF PRECIOUS STONES SEIZED
Additionally, various precious stones, 135 pieces of jewelry, 1,132 pieces of precious metal stones, firearms, 267 historical artifacts, and a large number of digital materials were seized during the searches. The approximate market value of the seized precious stones is estimated to be 1 billion 250 million lira.