Major Drug Operation Covering 3 Provinces in Istanbul: 54 Detentions, 45 Arrests

Teams from the Istanbul Police Department Narcotic Crimes Branch carried out a very comprehensive operation against drug trafficking across the city, under the instructions and coordination of the Istanbul Anatolia Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Simultaneous raids were conducted on addresses identified within the scope of the operation, and a total of 54 suspects, against whom accusations were determined, were caught red-handed and detained by police teams. This critical operation was effectively conducted not only in the central districts of Istanbul but also in surrounding provinces, dealing a heavy blow to the organization evaluated to be中介ing drug sales.

While the scope and geographical spread of the operation drew attention, on June 30, simultaneous raids were conducted with special teams and vehicles on identified addresses in Istanbul's Sultanbeyli, Sancaktepe, Ümraniye, Ataşehir, Maltepe, Pendik, Kartal, and Çekmeköy districts, as well as in Kocaeli and Gümüşhane provinces. The simultaneous operation on the addresses of the targets, determined after long-term physical and technical surveillance by narcotics police, prevented the escape of suspects and ensured the obstruction of evidence destruction. Thanks to the simultaneous work, it was recorded that this large-scale network covering three different provinces was deciphered and the operation was successfully completed as planned.

During detailed searches in the suspects' residences and usage areas, a significant amount of drugs with high market value and variety, along with synthetic pills, were seized. According to statements made by security officials, 55.74 grams of synthetic cannabinoid, 11.74 grams of methamphetamine, 9.85 grams of marijuana, and 13.14 grams of heroin were found in the searches. In addition, 61 Galara pills, 3 Suboxone tablets, and 11 tissues impregnated with narcotic substances were also taken into custody under security measures by the teams. The seized substances constitute the most concrete evidence that the suspects were engaged in drug trafficking for commercial and widespread purposes.

The 54 detained suspects were referred to judicial authorities after the completion of their procedures and the taking of their statements at the police department. The suspects brought to the Istanbul Anatolian Courthouse were sent to the Duty Criminal Judgeship of Peace with a request for arrest after testifying to the prosecutor. As a result of the trial by the judgeship, 45 suspects, against whom there was strong suspicion of crime and whose arrest requests were accepted, were arrested and sent to prison. The judgeship decided to release the other 9 suspects under the condition of judicial control, subject to necessary restrictions.

It has been learned that within the scope of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Anatolia Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the operation will not be limited to a single action and that other connections are also being investigated. Security officials stated that efforts against the network of drug dealers and their suppliers would continue uninterrupted and with determination, and that criminals would continue to be apprehended within the framework of the law. It was emphasized that operations against drug dealers, who pose a threat to the peace and security of citizens, would continue with determination, the investigation would be deepened, and new detentions might occur.