A major operation conducted by the Bursa Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Police Department’s Organized Crime Unit in coordination with the Istanbul, Ankara, Trabzon, Sakarya, Yalova, and Diyarbakır provinces has resulted in the arrest of a gang involved in extortion, armed attacks, and robbery. The suspects were accused of engaging in fraudulent car sales activities, extorting large sums of money from citizens at gunpoint, and committing armed robberies in Bursa and İnegöl. The suspects have completed their testimonies in front of the prosecutor.
The head of the dismantled criminal organization, Hakkı Saral, along with 26 other suspects, has been arrested by the duty magistrate judge on charges of “aggravated robbery” and “forming and being a member of a criminal organization with the intent to commit a crime.” Additionally, one suspect has been charged with “attempted murder and knowingly and willingly aiding the organization.” The gang, known as “Mahzen-32,” was involved in various criminal activities across seven provinces in Turkey.
The “Mahzen-32” operation, which took place on April 26th in seven provinces with Bursa as the main focus, led to the arrest of 24 gang members. Following further investigations, three fugitives were captured, bringing the total number of detainees to 27. The operation involved simultaneous raids on 44 addresses, resulting in the seizure of 16 firearms, 53 checks and promissory notes worth a total of 56,434,000 Turkish lira, 1272 bullets of various calibers, 430,400 Turkish lira, 123,800 US dollars, 20,800 euros, and two luxury vehicles.
The successful takedown of the criminal gang has brought relief to the affected communities and has demonstrated the efficiency and effectiveness of law enforcement agencies in combating organized crime. The arrests and subsequent legal actions against the suspects send a strong message that criminal activities such as extortion and armed robbery will not be tolerated in Turkey. The coordinated efforts of the Bursa Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Police Department’s Organized Crime Unit have proven to be crucial in dismantling a dangerous criminal organization operating across multiple provinces.
The prosecution of the suspects will continue as the legal process unfolds, and further details regarding the charges and evidence against them are expected to emerge. The arrest and incarceration of key figures in the gang, including the leader Hakkı Saral, marks a significant victory in the fight against organized crime in Turkey. The authorities are determined to bring all those involved in criminal activities to justice and ensure the safety and security of the citizens. The successful culmination of the operation serves as a warning to other criminal organizations operating in the country.
