During the “Mercek-15” operations conducted in 68 provinces in Turkey for the past 4 days, a total of 750 weapons were seized from individuals carrying illegal firearms and weapons smugglers, announced Minister Yerlikaya on his social media account. The seized weapons included 559 unlicensed pistols, 58 converted blank pistols, 14 long-barreled rifles, and 119 unlicensed hunting rifles.
In Istanbul, 99 pistols and 4 long-barreled rifles were confiscated, and 136 suspects were detained, while in Izmir, 61 pistols and 4 hunting rifles were seized, leading to the detention of 60 suspects. Additionally, in Adana, 47 pistols and 4 long-barreled rifles were confiscated, resulting in the arrest of 69 suspects, while in Antalya, 21 pistols and 14 hunting rifles were seized, with 58 suspects taken into custody. In Şanlıurfa, 27 pistols and 2 hunting rifles were recovered, and 34 suspects were detained.
Minister Yerlikaya commended the governors, district governors, heroic gendarmerie, and police officers who coordinated and carried out the operations, expressing gratitude for their efforts. He also sent his best wishes for their safety and success, acknowledging the support and prayers of the people. The successful operations were part of ongoing efforts to combat organized crime groups that disturb public peace and those who supply them with firearms.
Highlighting the government’s determination to bring perpetrators to justice, Minister Yerlikaya stated that a total of 79,235 weapons have been seized during the “Mercek” operations conducted between June 1, 2023, and March 28, 2024. These included 57,134 unlicensed pistols, 15,076 hunting rifles, 5,368 blank pistols, and 1,657 long-barreled firearms. Nearly 90,000 suspects were processed and dealt with in connection to these operations during this period.
The Ministry of Interior has been actively working to tackle the issue of illegal firearms and crack down on criminal networks involved in weapons trafficking. The successful outcomes of the recent operations reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the public by preventing the circulation of illicit weapons and apprehending those responsible for posing a threat to societal peace and stability. The continuous efforts and actions taken by law enforcement agencies demonstrate the government’s resolve to combat crime and uphold the rule of law.
