43 detained, 27 arrested in loan shark syndicate bust in Türkiye’s Balikesir

Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya announced dismantling a loan shark organized crime syndicate led by Cemil Ay and Ali Ay through the “Kuyu-12” operation in Balikesir.

A total of 43 suspects were apprehended, with 27 of them currently in custody.

Balıkesir’de “KUYU-12” operasyonuyla elebaşılığını Cemil Ay ve Ali Ay’ın yaptığı Tefeci Organize Suç Örgütü çökertildi.

Elebaşlarının da içerisinde bulunduğu 4️⃣3️⃣ şüpheli yakalandı❗️
2️⃣7️⃣’si tutuklandı,
2️⃣'si hakkında adli kontrol kararı verildi. Diğerlerinin işlemleri devam… pic.twitter.com/XrxAbsySpA

— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) July 24, 2024

According to Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya, the “Kuyu-12” operation in the Ayvalik district of Balikesir was coordinated by the Ayvalik Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Gendarmerie General Command’s Fight Against Smuggling and Organized Crime Department.

The Balikesir Provincial Gendarmerie Command’s Fight Against Smuggling and Organized Crime Branch Directorate led the operation, which was supported by the Aydin Gendarmerie Tactical UAV Unit Command.

The operation dismantled a loan shark organized crime syndicate led by Cemil Ay and Ali Ay. Of 43 suspects apprehended, including the ringleaders, 27 have been detained, while two have been released under judicial control.

The remaining suspects are still undergoing processing.

The arrested individuals are charged with a range of offenses, including charging exorbitant interest rates, fraudulent financial transactions through vehicle sales contracts, looting, coercion through debt, weapon-related threats and assaults, document forgery, extortion and theft.

They are also alleged to have attempted to launder criminal proceeds through the parking lot, auto dealership, and jewelry sectors.

The operation resulted in the seizure of goods valued at approximately ₺1.2 billion ($36.5 million), including unlicensed pistols and hunting rifles, various narcotics, numerous promissory notes and checks, as well as gold.