ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Turkish authorities have launched a countrywide operation against 120 suspected drug trafficking syndicates accused of coordinating shipments of over 24 tons of drugs through encrypted phones, Istanbul’s chief prosecutor said Friday. 

Authorities found that one of the organizations ran 30 domestic and international narcotic shipments of seven tons, with members abroad, in prison, and inside the country. Another network was linked to 22 shipments of over five tons, while a third moved four shipments amounting to over 600 kilograms, according to the statement. 

Two other organizations had completed 26 shipments; one moved over a ton through six operations and another conducted 20 shipments totaling over 11 tons of narcotic substances. Suspects of the organizations were similarly spread across multiple locations.

“A simultaneous operation was carried out on Friday under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Prevention of Financing of Terrorism and Money Laundering Investigation Bureau, to capture and detain 120 suspects who are members of the aforementioned criminal organizations and are currently in the country,” the prosecutor said.

“A red notice operation has been initiated against 56 members of the organization identified as being abroad, with the aim of ensuring their international search. The assets acquired by the members of these criminal organizations with proceeds from crime and subsequently subjected to laundering were identified,” it added.

The assets include all bank accounts and crypto assets belonging to 232 individuals and legal entities, a total of 636 real estate properties, 168 motor vehicles, one dry cargo ship, and partnership shares of 97 companies.

Turkey is a major hub for international drug trafficking due to its strategic location, bridging consumer markets in Europe and the Middle East. The country seizes a substantial amount of various illicit drugs each year.