525 Turkish drug dealers detained in massive raid in Ankara

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that 525 suspects were detained during the “Narkokapan-Ankara” operation, one of the largest anti-narcotics raids in the country’s history.

In a statement shared on social media, Yerlikaya said the operation specifically targeted so-called “street dealers” who use internet-based messaging platforms to sell drugs in neighborhoods and backstreets, especially to young people.

“NARKOKAPAN-ANKARA” operasyonumuzda 525 torbacı gözaltına alındı.

Bugün sabah 05.00’da başlayan Cumhuriyet tarihimizin en büyük uyuşturucu operasyonunu Başkentimiz Ankara’da gerçekleştirdik:

Bu operasyonumuzun adı “NARKOKAPAN-ANKARA”
🟥 Operasyondaki hedefimiz özellikle… pic.twitter.com/pXugtGksTI
— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) April 17, 2025

In a tweet, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya highlighted that the operation started at 5:00 am on April 17 in Ankara. He stated that 4,768 police officers took part in the operation to catch Turkish drug dealers. (X/AliYerlikaya)

“The preparation phase lasted six months. We carefully conducted field research and analysis, closely monitoring the suspects through both technical and physical surveillance,” he stated.

626 locations were raided to catch Turkish drug dealers

“After collecting solid evidence of their criminal activities, we launched the operation at 5 a.m. today in our capital Ankara. This marks the largest anti-drug operation in the history of our country,” Yerlikaya added.

525 Turkish drug dealers detained in massive raid in Ankara — Police and the police officer during an anti-narcotics operation named “Narkokapan-2” conducted in Istanbul, Türkiye. (Screengrab from video)

The operation involved 4,768 police officers, 1,461 teams, 40 specially trained sniffer dogs, 4 drones, and air support units.

Simultaneous raids were carried out at 626 different locations.

Yerlikaya praised the officers for their work and emphasized the government’s commitment to continue fighting drug trafficking, which he described as “one of humanity’s greatest enemies.”