In a two‑month operation, Asayiş and Istihbarat units targeted a weapons trafficking and tax collection network in Beşiktaş, Tuzla, and Pendik. The suspects shot at workplaces to enforce demands, collecting between 5‑10 million Turkish lira from businesses. They used international phone numbers to issue death threats, intimidating victims into compliance.
During raids on 19 addresses, police seized two pistols and many bullets from a hotel hideout. The suspects had surrendered the weapons to the hotel reception, allowing the hotel to be sealed off and the weapons confiscated without confrontation.
Thirteen suspects were arrested and handed over to the public prosecutor. Authorities also involved the forensic department to examine the seized evidence. The operation ended a campaign that had rattled Istanbul's business community, with 19 addresses cleared and 13 men in custody.
Authorities also involved the forensic department to examine the seized evidence.
The legal process is underway, with suspects facing charges related to armed robbery, intimidation, and tax fraud. Police continue to monitor for any remnants of the network, ensuring that the threat of a 5‑10 million lira fine no longer looms over Istanbul's businesses.