32 arrested in Turkish operation against Dalton Gang

In a major coordinated operation, Turkish authorities arrested 32 suspects affiliated with the Dalton Gang, an organized crime group, in six provinces centered around Antalya.

The operation, code-named “KUYU-27,” targeted the gang’s network, allegedly led by Beratcan Gokdemir, who is currently imprisoned abroad.

Criminal activities and seizures

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya shared details of the operation on his social media account, announcing the successful capture of the suspects across multiple cities, including Istanbul, Adana, Izmir, Konya and Diyarbakir.

Antalya merkezli 6️⃣ ilde elebaşılığını yurt dışında tutuklu olarak bulunan Beratcan Gökdemir’in yaptığı Organize Suç Örgütüne yönelik “KUYU-27” operasyonu düzenlendi❗️

Operasyon sonucu organize suç örgütü üyesi 3️⃣2️⃣ şüpheli yakalandı❗️

Aziz Milletimizin Bilmesini İsterim ki;… pic.twitter.com/jNgV2hWowZ

— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) September 21, 2024

According to Yerlikaya’s statement on X, the suspects are accused of numerous crimes, including extortion, attempted murder, assault, endangering public safety, property damage, and issuing death threats. “The suspects had been intimidating business owners who refused to pay extortion fees by attacking them, their homes, businesses, and vehicles,” Yerlikaya said.

During the operation, authorities confiscated 23 unlicensed pistols, two illegal rifles, various drugs, and a large sum of cash.

Minister Yerlikaya commended the security forces involved in the operation, stating, “I congratulate our Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office who coordinated the operation and our Heroic Police Officers who carried out the operation. May God never let you touch a stone. Our nation’s prayers are with you.”