International Drug Lord İslam Yakut Captured in Istanbul

International drug trafficking organization leader İslam Yakut was captured in Istanbul following a joint operation coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek announced that the operation was carried out through the joint efforts of the Istanbul Police Department, the National Intelligence Organization (MIT), and the Counter-Narcotics Department.

Investigations revealed that Yakut had been a fugitive since 2017 and managed his criminal network from domestic and international hideouts. Authorities determined that he gave instructions to gang members using encrypted communication systems such as ANOM and SKY ECC.

“Drug barons will not escape the resolute pursuit of our state and justice, no matter where they hide.”

According to security assessments, the criminal organization organized heroin shipments from Iran and Afghanistan to Europe, and synthetic drug shipments from Europe to Turkey. Officials stated that Yakut was responsible for a total of 2 tons of drugs seized in Turkey and European countries.

During the raid at a residence in Istanbul's Sarıyer district where Yakut was hiding, authorities also seized a fake international identity document prepared under the initials D.G. Meanwhile, a 2024 operation had already targeted the same syndicate, leading to the arrest of other ringleaders including a suspect identified as E.Y., and the seizure of criminal assets.

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek emphasized the state's determination against organized crime, stating that drug barons will not escape justice regardless of their hiding methods. Legal proceedings regarding the detained suspect are currently ongoing.