Turkish police raid to arrest organized crime suspects

ISTANBUL

Police in Turkey carried out an operation against members of an organized crime group.

In an Istanbul-based operation launched in five provinces across Turkey, the police raided 121 addresses with arrest warrants for 63 suspects, including Sedat Peker, a notorious convicted criminal, who was determined to be the ringleader of the criminal group.

In the early hours of April 9, police officers searched Peker's property in Istanbul's Beykoz district.

Speaking to Demirören News Agency in front of the property, Peker’s lawyer Kemal Levent said that the search warrant was about an investigation file opened before Peker went abroad. Police officers searched the house based on the file, he said.

Levent confirmed that Peker has been abroad for a year and a half.

The suspects were actively taking part in criminal activities – including robbery, mugging, bribery, and other crimes – and were involved in establishing an organized crime group.

Drones and special operations teams supported the police operation.

Many suspects have been detained, according to a statement by the Istanbul police. The detainees have been referred to the police headquarters after health controls.