15.10.2026 12:21
In an operation centered in Istanbul across 13 provinces targeting an international drug crime organization, 47 suspects were detained. Decrypting messages on the encrypted SkyECC platform, police identified the organization's management cadre, described as "barons." While the suspects were determined to be linked to a total of 10 tons 100 kilograms of drug trafficking, accounts, crypto assets, real estate, vehicles, and company shares worth 7 billion 657 million liras were seized.
New details have emerged in the Istanbul Police Department’s investigation into an international drug crime organization. According to police findings, each of the suspects alleged to be part of the organization’s management cadre was responsible for a different stage, from drug production to shipment abroad.
ENCRYPTED MESSAGES DECRYPTED
The investigation, carried out under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, was conducted under the direction of Istanbul Police Chief Selami Yıldız by the Anti-Narcotics and Intelligence Branch Directorates. The Anti-Narcotics Department, Interpol-Europol Department, and Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK) supported the efforts.
Police teams, determining that organization members communicated via the encrypted SkyECC platform, decrypted the messages together with the Joint Investigation Team. The teams revealed the identities of the suspects and identified those assessed to be at the head of heroin production and described as “barons.”
ALLEGATION THEY HID BEHIND BUSINESSMAN IDENTITIES
Within the scope of the investigation, the suspects alleged to be linked to tons of drugs seized in Germany, the Netherlands, Iran, North Macedonia, and Turkey were determined to be hotel, fuel, logistics, jewelry store, and currency exchange office operators. It was alleged that the suspects, claimed to be organization managers, provided aid to those in need and participated in social activities in order to conceal their activities.
“ACID BARON” ALLEGEDLY PRODUCED HEROIN IN IRAN
According to police findings, E.I., described within the organization as the “acid baron,” took raw materials obtained from Europe to Iran and had heroin produced there. It was alleged that suspect E.H. was responsible for bringing the drugs into Turkey and organized the entry of the substances into the country by drug mules from the Yüksekova district of Hakkari.
“SISTER” STORED, “BARONESS” SHIPPED ABROAD
It was determined that suspect C.G. ensured the transportation of the drugs brought into the country to western provinces, and the substances were then delivered to G.D., known as the “sister,” and stored. It was alleged that overseas shipment was carried out by H.C. to European countries under the control of N.A., known as the “baroness,” and that M.A. undertook distribution in the Netherlands.
ASSETS WORTH 7 BILLION 657 MILLION LIRA SEIZED
Within the scope of the operation, bank accounts and crypto assets belonging to 163 people, 556 immovable properties, 155 motor vehicles, and partnership shares in 71 companies—most belonging to suspects alleged to be organization managers—were seized. The total value of the seized assets was announced as 7 billion 657 million lira.
LINKED TO 10 TONS 100 KILOGRAMS OF NARCOTICS
In the investigation, it was determined that the organization organized drug manufacturing, shipment, and distribution in different countries and provinces. By examining encrypted communication data, connections between the organization’s international supply and shipment activities and its domestic distribution network were uncovered. The suspects were found to be linked to a total of 10 tons 100 kilograms of drug trafficking.
OPERATION IN 13 PROVINCES WITH 2,000 POLICE OFFICERS
On October 13, a simultaneous operation was carried out in 13 provinces with the participation of 2,000 personnel to capture the suspects. Forty-two suspects were caught in the operation. As the work continued, 5 more people were detained, bringing the number of detentions to 47. The suspects’ procedures at the police station are ongoing.