Dawn operation in 3 districts of Mersin: Judicial proceedings against 26 suspects

Simultaneous and large-scale operations were conducted against drug trafficking and usage in the Anamur, Bozyazı, and Aydıncık districts of Mersin. The operation, coordinated by the Anamur Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, involved Narcotics units from the Provincial Police Department and the Provincial Gendarmerie Command. Following planned and intelligence work carried out over a long period, teams raided 31 different addresses. Launched at dawn and participated by a large number of security personnel, the operations resulted in the capture of a total of 26 suspects, including men and women. It was reported that the procedures for the detainees are continuing at the police station, and judicial processes have been initiated against them for the crimes of using and selling drugs.

During detailed searches at the addresses within the scope of the operation, various amounts of drugs were seized. In the searches, also supported by narcotic dogs, substances including cannabis, cannabis plants, cannabis seeds, and synthetic drugs known as synthetic pharmaceuticals were found. According to statements by security officials, the quantity and type of the seized substances were determined to be excessive enough to constitute a criminal element. While some of these substances were packaged and ready for sale, others were found stored ready for use. It was learned that examinations of the drugs have been initiated by the Forensic Medicine Institution and the reports will be added to the suspects' investigation files upon preparation.

During the searches, weapons hidden in the houses where the suspects were found also came to light. Newly sprouted cannabis plants, hidden in the ground of a coop sheltering winged animals in the garden of one suspect's house, were seized. Police teams found this secret cultivation area in the coop by following the traces of plant roots and leaves during the raid. This situation revealed that the suspects did not hesitate to use even the back gardens of their homes to cultivate drugs. Plant lighting systems and fertilizers were also found during the examination of the coop.

The most striking find during the searches came from inside a steel safe in one of the suspects' houses. Teams broke the password of the steel safe used for security purposes and found an unlicensed pistol inside. The magazine and bullets belonging to the pistol were also hidden secretly inside the safe. Due to the gun being unlicensed and the place it was hidden, an additional action was initiated against the suspect for the crime of 'Opposition to Law No. 6136'. It was stated that ballistic examination of the seized weapon would be conducted to determine if it was used in any crime.

The 26 captured suspects were questioned after health checks at the police center. While some of the suspects denied the accusations in their statements, others expressed regret and stated that they would not repeat this. Some of the suspects referred to the prosecutor's office were released under judicial control conditions, while others were arrested and sent to prison. The Mersin Provincial Police Department and Gendarmerie Command emphasized that they will continue their determination to prevent drug addiction in the province and deal a blow to criminal organizations, and that similar operations will continue.