47 drug suspects arrested under coordination of Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office

An international operation coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office resulted in the detention of 47 suspects. The raids, directed by Istanbul Police Chief Selami Yıldız, were supported by the Narcotics Crimes Combat Department, Intelligence Department, Narcotics Crimes Combat Directorate, Interpol-Europol Division Directorate, and MASAK.

Police units working with the Joint Investigation Team dismantled the communications network the organization established through the encrypted SkyECC platform. According to Anadolu Agency, decrypted messages led to the identification of the so-called "barons" — ringleaders behind ton-scale quantities of narcotics seized in Germany, the Netherlands, Iran, North Macedonia, and Turkey.

It was determined that the suspects, including operators of hotels, oil companies, logistics firms, jewelry shops, and currency exchange offices, made donations to those in need and participated in social events to launder their illegal income. Suspects positioned at the beginning of the heroin production chain successfully remained concealed through this method for an extended period.

The operation marks the most comprehensive intervention by Turkish-European joint teams against this platform following the Encrochat investigation, which was resolved through similar encrypted communications methods in 2020.