International drug cartel leader captured in Istanbul

In a major anti-drug trafficking operation, Istanbul police capture the globally wanted drug lord Rawi Ali Qureshi, disrupting a key narcotics supply chain

The head of a notorious drug cartel Rawi Ali Qureshi, has been arrested in Istanbul during the “Kartel-5” operation. Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced the capture of Qureshi, who was internationally sought under an Interpol Red Notice for drug trafficking crimes.

Minister Yerlikaya, in his statement, emphasized Türkiye’s unyielding stance against organized crime and drug trafficking. “No matter the magnitude or the bulletin they are sought under, we will not let international organized crime groups and drug traffickers breathe. We will cage them one by one,” he said.

The arrest took place in Istanbul’s Kagithane district, as a result of joint efforts by the Istanbul Police Department’s Narcotics, Intelligence, Migrant Smuggling, and Border Gates Branch Directorates. Investigations revealed Qureshi played a significant role in drug trafficking and importation in the Netherlands, establishing a vast criminal network across numerous countries.

He was involved in shipping a total of 6 tons of narcotics to the Netherlands using ships, speedboats, and air transport. Qureshi also organized storage facilities for the drugs and financed the operations.

Source: Newsroom