Police seize 373 kgs of cocaine in ‘Narkocelik-20’ operation
373 kilograms of cocaine seized during operations conducted against drug gangs in Istanbul and Bursa, showcased in Istanbul, Türkiye June 5, 2024. (AA Photo)
Turkish police Wednesday apprehended nine suspects and seized 373 kilograms (822.3 pounds) of cocaine in the “Narkocelik-20” operation conducted in Istanbul and Bursa. This operation targeted an organized drug trafficking network attempting to smuggle cocaine from South America to Türkiye.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on his social media account that the drugs sent from South America were found hidden in a container at Gemlik Port in Bursa. With the support of the Istanbul Intelligence Branch and the Bursa Anti-Narcotic Crimes Branch, the “Narkocelik-20” operation was launched in Istanbul and Bursa.
During the operation, nine suspects were arrested, and 373 kilograms of cocaine were seized. Yerlikaya congratulated the Buyukcekmece Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and the heroic police officers who carried out the operations, stating: “May God protect you. The prayers of our nation are with you.”
Details of the “Narkocelik-20” operation have been revealed. It was determined that the nine suspects, including alleged members of a Colombian cartel, used motorcycles, taxis and rental cars to avoid detection through technical and physical surveillance.
The Istanbul Anti-Narcotic Crimes Branch, coordinated by the Buyukcekmece Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, initiated the operation upon receiving information that a large quantity of drugs would be smuggled into Türkiye from South American countries.
Learning that members of the Colombian drug cartel would come to the country for the shipment, the teams meticulously identified the suspects’ arrival method and timing.
Tracking the suspected members of the drug trafficking organization with drone support for an extended period, the teams found that the suspects were extremely cautious about surveillance and had developed several control mechanisms.
The suspects began their daily routines with motorcycles, then continued with taxis and cars rented in others’ names. They frequently changed vehicles on highways and passed the same route at least five times to check for police surveillance.
During the surveillance, furniture was found being moved into a rented house in Istanbul, which was believed to be used as the suspects’ headquarters. The Colombian suspect was observed settling into this house.
After noticing that the suspect frequently traveled to Gemlik, Bursa, the teams concluded that the drugs would arrive by sea. They monitored all cargo ships and containers arriving from Europe and identified the ship carrying the drugs.
After extensive and meticulous efforts, the Istanbul Anti-Narcotic Crimes Branch, with support from the Bursa Anti-Narcotic Crimes Branch, conducted the operation, arresting eight suspects and seizing 373 kilograms of cocaine. The Colombian suspect was apprehended in Istanbul while attempting to flee to his country from the airport.
The nine suspects are currently facing interrogation at the police station.
