Turkish mafia boss’ wife reportedly arrested in major police operation

Authorities in Istanbul launched a major crackdown on organized crime, targeting two notorious gangs with leaders already arrested abroad.

The Istanbul Police Department’s Anti-Organized Crimes Bureau launched an operation targeting two organized crime groups: one led by Baris Boyun, who was arrested in Italy, and the Turkish mafia known as the “Daltonlar Gang” (The Daltons), led by Berat Can Gokdemir, who was also arrested abroad.

Meanwhile, Ece Boyun, wife of Turkish mafia leader Baris Boyun, was reportedly among those detained in the operations.

Baris Boyun and his subgroup the Daltons have garnered notoriety for their involvement in a series of murders carried out by a motorcycle assassination team, drawing inspiration from Colombian cartels.

The coordinated operations in Istanbul and Kocaeli resulted in the detention of 157 individuals linked to these separate criminal organizations.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office’s coordinated efforts revealed that members of the organized crime group participated in 100 distinct incidents using stolen vehicles or motorcycles.

During these operations, authorities confiscated 40 unlicensed handguns, 10 automatic pistols, 5 pump-action shotguns, 3 AK-47 rifles, 2 hand grenades, 9 bulletproof vests, as well as various narcotics and a significant amount of foreign currency and Turkish lira.

Turkish mafia boss’ wife detained

Reports from Turkish media indicate that Ece Boyun, Baris Boyun’s wife, was among those detained. It is suspected that she returned to Türkiye following her husband’s arrest in Italy.

In May, Baris Boyun was apprehended in Viterbo, Italy, during an operation involving both Italian and Turkish police, following the issuance of a red notice for his arrest. The operation resulted in the detainment of 19 people, including 17 Turks and two Italians.