17.06.2026 11:41
In operations coordinated by the Ministry of Interior against 32 separate organized crime groups across 24 provinces, 313 suspects were apprehended. Of these, 197 were arrested, while judicial control measures were imposed on 114. In the investigation targeting organizations involved in crimes such as arms trafficking, fraud, illegal betting, drug trafficking, migrant smuggling, and usury, MASAK's analysis revealed approximately 22 billion lira in account activity.
The Ministry of Interior announced that 313 suspects were caught in operations organized by the gendarmerie against 32 separate organized crime groups in 24 provinces. During the operations, 197 people were arrested, and approximately 22 billion lira worth of money movements were detected in the suspects' accounts.
OPERATION AGAINST ORGANIZED CRIME GROUPS IN 24 PROVINCES
The Ministry of Interior announced that large-scale operations were conducted against organized crime groups across Turkey. In operations carried out by gendarmerie teams in 24 provinces, 32 separate criminal groups were targeted.
Within the scope of the operations, 313 suspects were caught, of which 197 were arrested. Judicial control decisions were issued for 114 suspects, while the procedures for other suspects are ongoing.
ACTIVITIES OF CRIMINAL GROUPS REVEALED ONE BY ONE
In the operations coordinated by the Gendarmerie General Command's Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime (KOM) and Cyber Crime Departments, along with chief public prosecutor's offices, groups identified as being involved in various crimes were uncovered.
Weapons smuggling was detected in Erzurum and Manisa; fraud via investment consultancy promises on social media in Gaziantep, Balıkesir, Hatay, Muğla, Zonguldak, and Trabzon; and illegal betting activities in Sakarya and Sinop.
Drug trafficking was uncovered in Antalya and Konya; migrant smuggling in Kırklareli, Tekirdağ, Van, Aydın, and Iğdır; and attempts to gain unjust profit through pressure and threats against businesses in Mersin.
Fraud and forgery damaging public institutions were identified in Elazığ; tobacco smuggling in Osmaniye; and loan sharking activities in Şanlıurfa, Diyarbakır, Eskişehir, and Mardin.
MASAK REPORT REVEALS 22 BILLION LIRA IN MOVEMENTS
As a result of examinations by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), a total of 21 billion 944 million lira in account movements were detected in the suspects' accounts.
The Ministry of Interior emphasized that the fight against organized crime groups will continue resolutely and congratulated the gendarmerie teams, MASAK experts, and chief public prosecutor's offices involved in the operation.