Politics · Turkey · 15 hrs ago
Turkey reports 7,818 operations against criminal groups in eight months
Turkey’s Justice Minister, Akın Gürlek, says authorities carried out 7,818 operations in all 81 provinces between February and September 2026.
The operations targeted suspected drug trafficking, illegal betting, online gambling and newer criminal groups.
Gürlek said 70,853 suspects faced legal action, 32,882 were arrested and 15,826 were placed under judicial control.
Authorities also seized drugs worth more than 30 billion lira, cash, property, vehicles and boats, according to his statement.
They froze or blocked 38,058 bank and cryptocurrency accounts and blocked access to 28,245 websites and accounts.
The work was coordinated by the Justice Ministry with prosecutors, intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and financial and tax bodies.
Gürlek said the campaign against crime would continue, but did not give further details about upcoming operations.
Turkey’s justice minister said authorities carried out 7,818 operations against criminal groups across all 81 provinces from February to September 2026.
The operations targeted drugs, illegal betting, online gambling and what the minister called new-generation criminal groups.
Authorities took legal action against 70,853 suspects, and 32,882 were arrested.
Investigations seized drugs worth more than 30 billion lira and led to measures against property, businesses and financial accounts.
Minister Akın Gürlek said the operations were coordinated by the Justice Ministry with law enforcement and other agencies.
- Who
- Turkey’s Justice Ministry, prosecutors, intelligence and law enforcement agencies, and other institutions conducted the operations.
- What
- Authorities carried out 7,818 operations against criminal groups and took legal action against 70,853 suspects.
- When
- February to September 2026.
- Where
- Across all 81 provinces of Turkey.
- Why
- To combat drugs, illegal betting, online gambling and new-generation criminal groups, which Gürlek said threatened public safety and young people’s future.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
We carried out 7,818 operations in our 81 provinces in eight months and seized criminal assets worth billions of lira.
We will not allow any criminal organization to disturb our people’s peace, darken our young people’s future or gain strength through criminal proceeds.
Authorities conducted 7,818 operations across Turkey as part of criminal investigations.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced the operation figures in a social media statement.
- Operations
- 7,818 across 81 provinces
- Investigation period
- February–September 2026
- Suspects arrested
- 32,882
- Drug seizures
- Market value above 30 billion lira
- Property seized
- 9,030 immovable properties, 1,556 vehicles and 22 watercraft
- Accounts restricted
- 38,058 bank and cryptocurrency accounts
Sources
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