22 people detained in counterfeit gold operation in 10 provinces centered on Kahramanmaraş

As a result of a large-scale investigation into a counterfeiting incident centered in Kahramanmaraş and covering 10 provinces, many suspects, for whom detention warrants were issued, were caught by security forces. Coordinated by the Kahramanmaraş Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, operations carried out by the Provincial Police Department Smuggling and Organized Crime Branch teams focused on 'counterfeiting money', 'counterfeiting values equivalent to money' and 'qualified fraud'. Within the scope of the operations, 69 suspects alleged to be involved in these crimes were detained in simultaneous raids and judicial proceedings were initiated.

The size and scope of the operation point to a striking level in terms of the dispatched team and personnel count. A total of 150 teams and 490 police personnel took part in the simultaneous raids organized in 10 different provinces, primarily Kahramanmaraş. In detailed searches at the addresses of the suspects, it was revealed that the production and trade of counterfeit gold had reached a serious level. While numerous pieces of counterfeit gold and materials used in their production were seized during the searches, it was understood that the operation was conducted against an organized structure.

The list of items seized during the searches at the addresses revealed that the criminal organization not only provided economic gain but also posed security risks. A total of 10 thousand 749 pieces of counterfeit gold, 123 stamps, and approximately 5 kilograms of material used for fake production, including various types such as ata, full, half, quarter and gram, were seized. In addition, 112 historical artifacts, 10 unlicensed handguns, 9 shotguns, 5 blank-firing guns and 3 thousand 338 cartridges, as well as 26 synthetic drug pills, were found within the scope of the operation.

Following the completion of procedures at the security headquarters, the judicial processes of the suspects proceeded step by step. 18 of the 69 detained suspects, whose procedures were completed, were released without any judicial action. The remaining 51 suspects were brought before the courts to which they were referred by the prosecutor's office. At the end of this process, some of the suspects were sent to prison with a detention decision, while others were released under judicial control conditions.

The judicial decisions regarding the 51 suspects referred to the court have been finalized; 22 of the individuals who appeared before the judge were detained on the grounds of the nature of the crimes and the state of evidence. The 23 suspects who were not detained were released by applying judicial control measures and imposing restrictions such as a ban on traveling abroad. Along with the other 6 suspects released by the prosecutor's office within the scope of the investigation, the tally of the operation was made and it was stated that the processes regarding other actors involved in the incident were continuing.