Turkey, Europe detain 234 in major drug trafficking crackdown

Turkish authorities have detained 234 high-level members of organized crime networks in a significant operation coordinated with Belgium, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands. The operation, codenamed Orkinos-Bulut, is one of the largest anti-organized crime crackdowns in recent years and targeted four major international syndicates involved in drug trafficking and money laundering. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reported that 225 arrests were made in Turkey while nine suspects were apprehended abroad, with the operation leading to the seizure of 21.2 tons of drugs and assets valued at $341 million. The investigation followed eight months of surveillance and planning, with intelligence shared among various European nations, emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in tackling transnational crime. The detained individuals face serious charges, including drug trafficking, murder, and extortion, reflecting the extensive criminal operations spanning multiple countries. Overall, this crackdown aims to dismantle a significant criminal structure implicated in narcotics smuggling across Europe.