Over a Ton of Drugs Confiscated in Istanbul
Major Drug Bust in Istanbul: 20 Arrested, Large Quantities of Drugs Seized
The Istanbul Police Department has reported significant progress in their ongoing fight against drug trafficking. Teams from the Narcotics Crime Branch Directorate have recently unveiled an extensive drug manufacturing operation, targeting specific areas known for their population density and upscale villas.
Investigations revealed that the suspects were involved in both national and international drug trade, facilitating sales and shipments of large quantities of narcotics. Based on this intelligence, simultaneous operations were executed in several districts, including Bağcılar, Bakırköy, Başakşehir, Bahçelievler, Tuzla, and Silivri, on May 2 and May 6, 2025.
A total of 20 suspects were arrested and taken into custody during these operations. Authorities conducted thorough searches of the identified addresses and vehicles, yielding an impressive haul of illicit substances:
- Methamphetamine: 725 kilos and 200 grams
- Pills: 8 million and 400 thousand
- Drug Production Additives: 585 liters
- Synthetic Cannabinoid (Bonzai): Approximately 15 tons, yielding 144 kilos and 180 grams
- Skunk Substance: 183 kilos
- Additional Equipment: 2 sensitive scales, 2 pill-printing machines, and 1 million 600 thousand empty capsules
- Firearms: 2 pistols and 69 cartridges
In total, authorities confiscated over 1 ton of various drugs and criminal materials, highlighting the scale of the operation.
Following their arrest, all 20 suspects were presented to judicial authorities and subsequently transferred to a penal institution, marking a significant victory in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in Istanbul.
