International drug traffickers arrested in Türkiye
A man passes Interpol signages at Interpol World in Singapore July 2, 2019. (Reuters Photo)
Three high-profile criminals, internationally wanted for serious crimes, were apprehended in Türkiye through coordinated operations by Turkish authorities and Interpol.
Alexander Gustafsson:
- Charges: Drug trafficking, money laundering, doping and forgery.
- Location of arrest: Besiktas, Istanbul.
- Details: Gustafsson entered Türkiye using a fake Polish identity under the name “Aleksander Kawa” and a forged Polish passport. He was captured through the coordinated efforts of Istanbul’s narcotics and immigration departments, working with the Interpol-Europol Division.
Dragan Pavlijevic:
- Charges: Drug trafficking and organized crime membership.
- Location of arrest: Avcilar, Istanbul.
- Details: Pavlijevic was wanted by Montenegro since July 23, 2024. He was apprehended on July 28, 2024. He has been implicated in trafficking 1,570 kilogram of cocaine to various countries, including Montenegro, Colombia, Ecuador, Australia, and the Netherlands, as well as another 900 kg from Ecuador.
Alexandar Nedevski:
- Charges: Money laundering and drug trafficking.
- Location of arrest: Bodrum, Mugla.
- Details: Nedevski entered Türkiye with a fake Kosovar passport named “Besnik Lajqi.” He was captured through joint operations by the Istanbul and Mugla Narcotics Departments, coordinated with the Interpol-Europol Division.
Official statement
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya commended the efforts of the involved departments and shared details of the arrests on social media.
No matter the type of warrant, we will not let international organized crime syndicates and drug dealers disrupt the peace of our citizens. We will bring each one to justice
Ali Yerlikaya
Yerlikaya extended his gratitude to the Intelligence Department, the Interpol-Europol Division the Immigration Administration, and the brave police officers who conducted the operations.
