23.06.2026 15:30
In a simultaneous operation conducted across 4 provinces centered in Kocaeli, 18 suspects were detained on charges of human trafficking and promoting prostitution. A "prostitution agenda" containing the network's financial records was seized, and a total of 15 women, including 12 foreign nationals, were rescued from the gang.
According to the statement made by the Kocaeli Provincial Police Department, coordinated by the Gebze Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, teams from the Public Order Branch Directorate Morality Bureau conducted a 2-month project-based operation to prevent human trafficking and sexually transmitted diseases, rescue women forced into prostitution, and apprehend those committing this crime.
SIMULTANEOUS RAIDS IN 4 PROVINCES
Following the technical and physical investigations, teams carried out simultaneous operations at designated addresses in Kocaeli, Istanbul, Bursa, and Van around 06:00 in the morning.
During the operations, 18 suspects were detained on charges of "human trafficking," "forming an organization to commit crimes," and "promoting, facilitating, and providing premises for prostitution." Additionally, a total of 15 victimized women, including 3 Turkish and 12 foreign nationals, were rescued after being forced into prostitution.
AGENDA SEIZED
During searches at the suspects' residences, an unlicensed blank firing pistol, 2 unlicensed smoothbore hunting shotguns and 25 rounds of ammunition for these shotguns, a ledger kept for prostitution purposes and documents, along with numerous digital materials, were seized.