In a major crackdown, police in Istanbul detained Hasan Ayık, identified as a leading figure within the transnational crime network known as Comanchero, along with 37 other members of the group. The information comes from a Turkish media outlet, TRT Reporter, and reflects a coordinated effort to curb organized crime with international reach.
Reports indicate that individuals aligned with Comanchero, alongside leaders and members from Turkish and international organizations, were in Istanbul to execute a drug trafficking operation that spanned multiple continents. Investigators believe the gang planned to move narcotics from South America toward markets in Australia, the Netherlands, and Hong Kong. Ayık faces serious allegations, including involvement in money laundering schemes linked to the drug trafficking network.
The broadcast notes that Ayık has been placed on wanted lists by authorities in Australia and the United States, underscoring the cross border nature of the case. The operation, codenamed Cage, was announced publicly in Istanbul as law enforcement aimed to apprehend the core leadership and key operatives of the organization. The effort signals ongoing collaboration across jurisdictions to dismantle criminal networks that rely on global routes and financial flows to sustain illegal activities.
During the course of the investigation, authorities reported the seizure of assets linked to the organization, totaling roughly 4.5 billion lira, equivalent to around 160 million dollars. The confiscated assets encompass bank accounts, real estate holdings, vehicles, and equity in 22 corporate entities. The scale of the asset seizure illustrates the breadth of the network’s financial infrastructure and the long-term financial implications for the crime group and its associates.
Separately, a development in Kaliningrad involved the detention of an individual accused of leading an organized crime group, highlighting how law enforcement efforts against such networks span different regions and jurisdictions. This case further emphasizes the global reach of modern organized crime and the importance of international cooperation in investigations and prosecutions.