Massive Anti-Narcotics Operation in İstanbul: 120 Suspects Detained, Millions in Assets Seized

The İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has announced a large-scale, multi-layered narcotics and money-laundering operation, ordering the detention of 120 suspects allegedly involved in international drug trafficking through a crypt-encrypted communication program. The investigation—which spans several countries—targets five separate organized crime groups accused of coordinating high-volume shipments of narcotics and laundering the proceeds through complex financial structures.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, authorities have also imposed asset freezes on hundreds of properties and vehicles, seized corporate shares, and appointed trustees to multiple companies believed to be instrumental in laundering illicit profits.

Extensive Asset Seizures and Corporate Takeovers

As part of the operation, legal action was taken against a vast portfolio of assets connected to the identified networks. Authorities seized:

• 636 real estate properties

• 168 motor vehicles

• 1 luxury yacht

• Corporate shares belonging to 97 companies

Additionally, four companies—Diamond Group Emlak ve Danışmanlık Ltd. Şti., Karci İç ve Dış Ticaret Ltd. Şti., Mavi Okyanus Denizcilik İç ve Dış Ticaret Ltd. Şti., and Karcı Lojistik A.Ş.—were placed under the administration of the Savings Deposit Insurance Fund (TMSF) as trustees, due to their alleged involvement in laundering the proceeds of crime.

Five Major Crime Networks Identified

The investigation revealed the existence of five separate international narcotics organizations, each using encrypted messaging to coordinate procurement and distribution of illegal drugs. The Prosecutor’s Office stated:

“Examination of the encrypted communications showed that these organizations acquired narcotics from various countries and arranged shipments either into Türkiye or onward to other destinations. They obtained substantial illegal revenue and attempted to launder it through multiple methods.”

The findings include detailed breakdowns of each organization’s alleged operations:

1. Organization Led by Fehmi Karcı & Ünal Özeler

• Conducted 30 drug shipments domestically and internationally

• Total narcotics weight exceeded 7 tons

• Members identified: 8 abroad, 12 imprisoned, 35 within Türkiye

2. Organization Led by Veysi Gündoğan

• Carried out 22 shipments

• Over 5 tons of narcotics were involved

• Members identified: 30 abroad, 37 imprisoned, 63 within Türkiye

3. Organization Led by Orhan Turgut

• Conducted 4 shipments

• More than 600 kilograms of narcotics

• Members identified: 3 abroad, 1 imprisoned, 5 within Türkiye

4. Organization Led by Kamuran Ata & Adnan Korkmaz

• Executed 6 shipments

• Total weight surpassed 1 ton

• Members identified: 4 abroad, 4 imprisoned, 11 within Türkiye

5. Organization Led by Ahmet Müfit Güverte

• Coordinated 20 shipments

• Total narcotics weight exceeded 11 tons

• Members identified: 11 abroad, 1 imprisoned, 6 within Türkiye

Nationwide Raids and International Warrants

On 14 November 2025, simultaneous operations were conducted across Türkiye under the coordination of the Prosecutor’s Office Anti-Terror Financing and Money Laundering Bureau. These raids resulted in the detention of 120 suspects located within Türkiye.

Authorities also initiated Red Notice (Interpol) procedures for 56 members currently believed to be outside the country, aiming to secure their international apprehension.

A Multi-Billion Lira Financial Network Under Scrutiny

Investigators have linked the organizations to an extensive financial ecosystem designed to disguise proceeds of drug trafficking. The seized assets—including property portfolios, corporate shares, cryptocurrency holdings, and banking instruments—reflect what authorities describe as a sophisticated, multinational laundering scheme.

Officials say the operation represents one of the most comprehensive anti-narcotics and financial crime crackdowns in recent years, combining cyber-forensics, international coordination, and large-scale asset intervention.