Turkish police detained 45 people in raids across Turkey targeting an organized crime network allegedly led by Barış Boyun, who is in custody in Italy and wanted by Turkey, Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced Tuesday.
Detention warrants were issued for 54 suspects, including six lawyers, as part of the İstanbul-based operation, which covered 113 locations in İstanbul, Tekirdağ, İzmir, Siirt, Samsun, Tokat and Şanlıurfa. Police were continuing efforts to detain nine remaining suspects, Turkish media reports said.
Gürlek said in a statement on X that the operation was carried out under the coordination of the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and in cooperation with the İstanbul Police Department.
Sokak çeteleri ve organize suç örgütleri; milletimizin huzuruna, gençlerimizin geleceğine, kamu düzenine ve şehirlerimizin güvenliğine kasteden yapılardır. Bu yapılara karşı İçişleri Bakanlığımızla tam bir iş birliği ve eşgüdüm içinde mücadelemizi kararlılıkla sürdürüyor, suç…
— Akın Gürlek (@abakingurlek) June 9, 2026
The suspects are accused of robbery, issuing threats and providing financial support to members of the criminal organization. The lawyers targeted in the operation were accused of attempting to prevent suspects from giving statements or directing them to give false statements.
Gürlek said 700 suspects had been processed so far in investigations targeting the same criminal network, with indictments drafted and criminal cases opened.
“We will not allow any criminal structure targeting the peace of our nation, public order or the supremacy of justice,” said the minister.
Boyun, who is wanted by Turkey on an INTERPOL Red Notice, was arrested in Italy in May 2024 during a joint operation involving Italian police and Turkish authorities. Turkish officials describe him as the leader of an organized crime network accused of ordering shootings and other attacks in Turkey and abroad.
He remains in custody in Italy as Turkish authorities continue efforts to secure his extradition on charges including organized crime.
The network associated with Boyun is described by Turkish and European officials as a new-generation Turkish mafia structure with cells in several European countries. Italian and Turkish documents say the network faces accusations of drug trafficking, murder, attempted murder and plans for attacks in Europe and Turkey.
The group has also been linked in Turkish investigations to the so-called Daltonlar, an organized crime network accused of armed attacks, murders, issuing threats, extortion and drug trafficking. Prosecutors have said the organization operated along a Turkey-Europe axis and used social media and music videos to promote itself and recruit young people.
In December an İstanbul court handed down multiple life sentences to senior figures in the Daltonlar case, which involved hundreds of defendants and was among Turkey’s largest organized crime trials. Cases against Boyun and several other suspects were separated because they could not be apprehended or were being held abroad.
Turkey has seen growing concern over organized crime groups recruiting minors and young people, particularly in low-income neighborhoods, by offering money and a sense of belonging. Minors have been named as suspects in investigations involving groups such as the Daltonlar and the Casperlar.