Türkiye arrests 234 in global drug sting, seizes $341M in assets

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on Tuesday that 234 individuals with alleged ties to organized crime syndicates were apprehended in a sweeping international drug operation named “Orkinos-Bulut.”

Speaking at a press briefing in Ankara, Yerlikaya stated that 225 suspects were arrested in Türkiye, while nine were detained abroad.

“We have seized assets worth approximately 13 billion Turkish liras (around $341 million), including 681 properties, 127 vehicles, shares in 113 companies, and various bank accounts, as identified by MASAK [Türkiye’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board].

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya

The operation was conducted under the coordination of the Directorate General of Security, in collaboration with the Counter-Narcotics Department, the Interpol-Europol Department, the Istanbul Police Department, and MASAK. The efforts were also supported by Europol and law enforcement agencies from the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and Belgium.

The operation, which Yerlikaya described as one of the most extensive in recent years, was simultaneously executed across 20 Turkish provinces, with Istanbul serving as the central command hub.

Intelligence and documentation were also exchanged with authorities in France, the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, Greece, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Kosovo, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Brazil, and Iran.

“In our ‘Orkinos-Bulut’ operation, we targeted four separate international drug trafficking organizations. We uncovered efforts to transport and manufacture cocaine from South America via sea and land routes; heroin via Iran and Afghanistan; skunk through the Balkans; and ecstasy from various European countries destined for Türkiye and the broader European market.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya

He added that the criminal networks were also involved in the shipment of precursor chemicals from East Asia, which were used in drug production across Europe.

Yerlikaya emphasized that the operation was the result of eight months of meticulous planning and covert work. During this period, authorities successfully cracked the encrypted communication systems used by the organizations.

He praised the collaboration with Europol, calling it “a historically significant partnership,” and underlined that the coordinated operations carried out in five countries—including Türkiye—demonstrated a united front against transnational crime.

This operation once again shows that Türkiye is determined to fight crime not only within its borders but also on the international stage.

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya