Turkey Cracks Down on Organized Crime: 45 Arrested in Nationwide Operations

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the arrest of 45 suspects linked to three organized crime groups in a series of operations dubbed “Kuyu-2,” targeting activities in Aydin, Erzurum, and Karaman. These coordinated efforts by the Gendarmerie’s Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Department extended across five provinces, aiming to combat a range of illicit activities.
In Aydin, 21 individuals were apprehended for engaging in qualified fraud, document forgery, and tax law violations. They allegedly used online sales platforms to issue fake invoices, simulating fuel purchases and inflicting substantial financial losses on the state. Erzurum saw the arrest of 17 suspects involved in the organized production and trafficking of drugs, including narcotic and stimulant substances. Meanwhile, Karaman operations led to the detention of seven people charged with organized usury, involving high-interest lending, threats, and violence for debt collection.
The crackdown resulted in the seizure of firearms, narcotics, counterfeit documents, and various digital materials. Minister Yerlikaya praised the dedication of the gendarmerie and public prosecutors, reaffirming the government’s commitment to dismantling organized crime networks and ensuring public safety.