Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya has announced on Tuesday that 234 senior members of transnational crime networks were detained in an operation covering five countries. The operation is being hailed as one of the most significant anti-organized crime crackdowns in recent years.
“This morning, we have conducted a major operation targeting high-level members of organized crime groups involved in national and international drug trafficking, as well as money laundering,” said Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.
Of the suspects detained, 225 were arrested in Türkiye, while 9 were apprehended abroad. Ten of the individuals were wanted under the Interpol Red Notices.
He added that the operation, codenamed ORKİNOS-BULUT, was carried out simultaneously with police departments in the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and Belgium, under the coordination of Turkey’s General Directorate of Security.
In addition, as part of the operation, information and documents were shared with law enforcement authorities in France, the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, Greece, Serbia, Azerbaijan, Kosovo, Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Brazil, and Iran.
Apart from drug trafficking and money laundering, authorities identified a range of serious offenses committed by these criminal organizations, including deliberate murder, firearm assaults, kidnapping, unlawful deprivation of liberty and torture, intimidation through shootings targeting businesses and vehicles, and blackmail.
According to Minister Yerlikaya, the criminal syndicates were involved in large-scale drug smuggling operations, trafficking into Türkiye and across broader Europe:
- Cocaine from South America,
- Heroin from Iran and Afghanistan,
- Skunk cannabis via the Balkans, and
“We have seized the assets of these international crime organizations, identified so far by Türkiye’s Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK),” Yerlikaya said.
“This include 681 real estate properties, 127 vehicles, partnership shares in 113 companies, and multiple bank accounts belonging to the suspects—altogether valued at approximately 13 billion Turkish Liras.”
Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visits Doha to meet Qatar’s Emir and Prime Minister, aiming to deepen ties and coordinate on regional issues, as the two allies strengthen their strategic partnership and prepare for upcoming talks.
Russia and Türkiye will hold consultations on the Middle East, including Syria and Palestine, on 25th April in Istanbul, according to a Turkish Foreign Ministry source speaking to TASS.
UEFA has opened a new office in Istanbul to support the organization of major tournaments, including the 2026 Europa League final, 2027 Conference League final, and EURO 2032. President Ceferin praised Türkiye’s hosting record and ongoing collaboration.
A powerful 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck Istanbul's Silivri district on Wednesday, according to Türkiye’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).
Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif is set to begin an official visit to Türkiye on April 22, where he will hold extensive discussions with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on enhancing bilateral relations and exchanging views on regional and global developments.
Germany's next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, on Monday announced his first major cabinet nominations. He selected energy executive Katherina Reiche as the likely economy minister and close ally Johann Wadephul, a foreign policy expert, as foreign minister.
Uzbekistan and the Philippines are working to boost bilateral investment cooperation, with a focus on key sectors such as ICT, electrical engineering, transport, geology, and textiles.
The Kremlin announced Monday that Russia will implement a full ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8 to May 10, coinciding with its celebrations of Victory Day over Nazi Germany. The truce, ordered by President Vladimir Putin for "humanitarian reasons," will begin at midnight on May 8 (2100 GMT, May 7).
Greece plans to equip its railways with remote control systems and real-time tracking by September, aiming to improve safety after the country’s deadliest train disaster.
Spanish power grid operator Red Electrica said it was working with energy companies to restore power after large parts of Spain and Portugal were hit by a power outage on Monday.
China has rolled out the world’s first 10-gigabit (10G) fixed broadband network in Xiong'an New Area, promising ultra-fast speeds and low latency through cutting-edge optical infrastructure.
Russia launched a major missile and drone assault on Kyiv overnight on April 24, killing at least twelve people and injuring 90, including children and a pregnant woman, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko.
China’s pivot away from U.S. liquefied petroleum gas under new tariffs is shaking global energy flows, slashing demand, and fuelling a scramble for alternatives across Asia, with Middle Eastern suppliers and rival buyers seizing the moment.
In an expansive interview marking his first 100 days back in office, President Donald Trump sketched out an agenda that touches everything from punitive tariffs and China policy to cease-fire hopes in Ukraine and an overhaul of domestic programmes. Below are the highlights.
A deadly attack targeting tourists in India’s Jammu and Kashmir territory has left at least 20 feared dead, marking the deadliest incident against civilians in the region for years, according to security sources.
President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan held a meeting with Masoud Pezeshkian, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in a limited format. The talks centered on enhancing bilateral relations and exploring opportunities for increased cooperation between the two neighboring countries.
President Pezeshkian, before his first official visit to Baku, emphasized the potential for Iran-Azerbaijan cooperation in trade, science, and transport, aiming to boost ties through joint investments and regional diplomacy.
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian, arrived in the Republic of Azerbaijan for an official visit on April 28.
President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed the participants of the founding conference of the Global South NGO Platform.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 28th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Germany's next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, on Monday announced his first major cabinet nominations. He selected energy executive Katherina Reiche as the likely economy minister and close ally Johann Wadephul, a foreign policy expert, as foreign minister.
Uzbekistan and the Philippines are working to boost bilateral investment cooperation, with a focus on key sectors such as ICT, electrical engineering, transport, geology, and textiles.
The Kremlin announced Monday that Russia will implement a full ceasefire in Ukraine from May 8 to May 10, coinciding with its celebrations of Victory Day over Nazi Germany. The truce, ordered by President Vladimir Putin for "humanitarian reasons," will begin at midnight on May 8 (2100 GMT, May 7).
Greece plans to equip its railways with remote control systems and real-time tracking by September, aiming to improve safety after the country’s deadliest train disaster.
Spanish power grid operator Red Electrica said it was working with energy companies to restore power after large parts of Spain and Portugal were hit by a power outage on Monday.
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