24.04.2026 20:48
The trial process has begun regarding the 13-ton drug operation carried out in Kazakhstan last year, which went down in the country's history. Two Turkish defendants detained as part of the operation that uncovered an international drug network appeared before a judge for the first time, and their statements in court drew attention. Defendant O.M. said, 'They told me that the coconuts would come from the Dominican Republic and be transported through Russia. I thought they were coconuts.'
M. stated that he has been living in Almaty since 2022 and said the incident started with a friend's suggestion. Stating that his spouse is a citizen of Kazakhstan, the defendant expressed that they established a company named "Point Foreign Trade" under his spouse's name in 2024.
"I DIDN'T KNOW THE BOXES CONTAINED DRUGS"
Stating that the first products arriving at the warehouse were room perfumes, O. M. said he noticed the packaging of the products was damaged and reported the situation to his friend. The defendant, claiming he did not know the perfume boxes had double bottoms and contained drugs, stated that the shipment remained in the warehouse for a long time.
"I THOUGHT IT WAS COCONUT"
The defendant O. M. stated that he was later told marble and coconuts would be brought to the warehouse, and this shipment did not raise any suspicion for him either. "It was said the coconuts would come from the Dominican Republic. This route surprised me, but I thought fruit trade was legal," he said.
HE LEARNED HIS FRIEND WAS DETAINED
O. M. reported that in a meeting with his partner Y. U. in March, he learned that the friend who organized the shipment had been detained in Türkiye. He said he refused the request to withdraw money from the company account to close another debt.
THEIR DETENTION CONTINUES
It was stated that O. M. and Y. U., who were detained during a raid on the warehouses in September, said they only learned then that the term "coconut" referred to drugs. The court decided to continue the detention of the two defendants.