An extensive investigation by Milan prosecutors has uncovered the inner workings of a violent and powerful Turkish mafia network led by Barış Boyun, uncovering intricate details about the ongoing mafia wars, drug trafficking, arms smuggling and illegal operations spanning several countries, according to Turkish media.
The Milan prosecutor’s file, several documents of which have also been seen by Turkish Minute, sheds light on the fierce rivalry between two major Turkish mafia groups: the Saral family, led by Alaattin Saral; and the Şahinler, led by Sedat Şahin. Boyun, a notorious mafia leader, is said to have allied himself with the Şahinler in their ongoing fight against the Sarals. Boyun’s animosity towards the Sarals runs deep. Wiretapped phone conversations reveal his intentions to assassinate both Alaattin Saral and his brother, Burhanettin Saral.
The investigation also sheds light on Boyun’s extensive criminal empire, which includes the production and trafficking of drugs throughout Europe. According to the Milan prosecutor’s office, cited by Turkish media, Boyun set up a factory in Bulgaria to produce MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy. His network spans several European countries, with an arms depot in Switzerland stocked with machine guns, M16s, Uzis and Glocks, guaranteeing his ability to arm and equip his men for any operation.
Boyun’s influence in the drug trade is considerable, as his organization oversaw the smuggling of large quantities of drugs from South America into Turkey, primarily through the İstanbul port of Ambarlı. The drugs were hidden in double-bottomed containers, and the operation was facilitated by corrupt customs officials and law enforcement officers in Turkey.
The Milan prosecutor’s file also links Boyun to a number of violent acts, including murders in Turkey and Europe. One of these incidents concerns the murder of Veysel Erol, a Turkish citizen, in Berlin on March 10, 2024. The investigation details how Boyun orchestrated the murder and coordinated the attack with his accomplices via encrypted messaging apps.
In another case, Boyun planned an armed robbery at a jewelry store in İstanbul. The attack, which was carried out on the night of February 26-27, involved two people on motorcycles who fired 14 shots at the shutters and windows of the store. The Italian authorities’ investigation into the incident revealed meticulous planning and execution, further implicating Boyun in organized crime.
The investigation also looks at the corruption within Turkish state institutions that allowed Boyun’s organization to flourish. According to the file, Boyun’s network included influential contacts within the Turkish state that facilitated his criminal activities. These connections have enabled him to manipulate the legal system, evade prosecution and continue his illegal activities with relative impunity.
Boyun’s statements, which were recorded by the Italian authorities, reflect his belief that the state protects certain mafia leaders and targets others. In an interview Boyun explains, “The state is wiping out all Kurdish mafia leaders while protecting Turkish mafia leaders. Alaattin, Çakıcı, the Sarals, Sedat Peker — they’re all from the Black Sea region.”
The detailed findings of the Italian authorities provide a rare glimpse into the violent world of Turkish mafia wars and offer crucial insight into the operations, rivalries and state connections that allow these criminal organizations to persist.
According to the Global Organized Crime Index 2023 by the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime (GI-TOC), the Turkish government is involved in the country’s escalating organized crime activities.
The index, which ranks countries on a scale of one to 10 in terms of crime, places Turkey 14th out of 193 UN member states with a crime score of 7.03.
Although Turkey has fallen slightly in the global rankings since the 2021 index, it remains the leading European country in organized crime, a status exacerbated by its alleged state involvement in various illegal activities. The report highlights the troubling links between mafia groups and government officials, suggesting that these relationships provide criminal organizations with immunity from law enforcement and justice, while law enforcement practices appear inconsistent and politically biased.
The report points to Turkey’s growing role in the global drug trade, particularly in cocaine trafficking, which has increased significantly in recent years. Turkey’s strategic location, combined with the experience of criminal groups in drug trafficking, has made the country an important transshipment point for cocaine from South America.
In addition, the index raises concerns that the Turkish government is using international law enforcement mechanisms such as INTERPOL for political purposes and targeting journalists, activists and political opponents abroad, further complicating Turkey’s fight against organized crime.