Turkish authorities launched a new anti-drug operation on March 25, detaining high-profile figures from the worlds of sports, business, and entertainment. The raids marked the end of a brief lull in such operations following the appointment of the new interior and justice ministers in February.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said the operation aimed to protect 'general morality, social structure, and the family order.' The investigation includes charges of drug manufacturing and trafficking, facilitating drug use, and encouraging prostitution.
PROMINENT NAMES UNDER INVESTIGATION
Among the 14 individuals detained were Fikret Orman, former president of the football club Beşiktaş, and former Galatasaray President Burak Elmas. High-profile businessperson Hakan Sabancı and Kerim Sabancı were also taken into custody. Kerim Sabancı was detained at Istanbul Airport upon his arrival from abroad.
The operation also targeted the fashion and media industries. Models Didem Soydan and Güzide Duran, Orman’s girlfriend, were among those questioned. Arrest warrants were issued for actress Hande Erçel and Kaan Mellart, who are currently outside the country. Erçel released a statement on social media, explaining she has been abroad for education and will return to Turkey to give her statement as soon as possible.
LEGAL PROCEDURES AND ARRESTS
By March 26, the judiciary took further steps. A court imposed foreign travel bans on Fikret Orman, Burak Elmas, and the Sabancı brothers. They were released under judicial control. Four other suspects were formally arrested.
One of those arrested was Sezgin Köysüren, the owner of EKPA Construction. Köysüren is a key figure in a separate political corruption case involving the imprisoned Antalya Mayor Muhittin Böcek. He is accused of seeking benefits, such as commercial shops, during the local election period.
A SHIFT IN POLICY
The raids came as a surprise to many. When Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi took office in early March, he told Hürriyet daily that the public would no longer 'wake up to news of operations every day.'
Drug raids had largely paused since mid-February, following a series of winter operations that had targeted even some pro-government journalists.
The timing of the new wave has drawn significant attention. It coincided with a period of intense political debate, as CHP Chair Özgür Özel released several documents regarding the assets of Justice Minister Akın Gürlek. Several opposition pundits said the government aims to distract public opinion by the help of these drug operations.
