Narcotics Capture-Ankara Operation (2025)

The Narkokapan-Ankara Operation is a coordinated effort launched by the Ministry of Interior of Türkiye on 17 April 2025 with its headquarters in Ankara targeting street-level narcotic drug trade. Under Operation a total of 525 suspects were apprehended.

Objective and Preparation Phase

The operation targeted individuals identified as engaging in drug trafficking and street-level substance sales through internet-based communication platforms. These individuals are commonly referred to in public discourse as “torbacı” street vendors. The preparation phase lasted six moon. During this period field operations were conducted across Ankara with suspects placed under surveillance and physical tracking. All activities linked to the crime were documented and the operation was planned based on this evidence.

Execution of the Operation

The operation commenced on 17 April 2025 at 05.00 hour. A total of 4768 police officers 1461 team 40 specially trained detection dogs 4 unmanned aerial vehicles and aerial support units participated. Simultaneous raids were carried out at 626 different addresses across Ankara. Although Ankara served as the central hub together related operations were conducted in 14 other provinces.

Arrests and Investigations

A total of 525 individuals were taken into custody during the operation. Judicial proceedings against these individuals are coordinated by two separate chief prosecutor’s offices. Under the investigation led by the Ankara Public Prosecutor’s Office 646 suspects were identified as involved in drug trafficking. It was determined that 80 of these individuals were already incarcerated for other crimes. The apprehension of the remaining 566 suspects is being carried out by the Ankara Provincial Directorate of the Directorate of Fight Against Narcotic Crimes.

In the second investigation led by the Ankara Republic Public Prosecutor’s Office arrest warrants were issued for 119 suspects in four provinces centered in Ankara. These activities continue under the coordination of one deputy chief prosecutor and four prosecutors.

Relevant Units and Participating Institutions

The coordination of the operation was provided by the General Directorate of Security the Directorate of Fight Against Narcotic Crimes the Ankara Provincial Directorate of Security the Ankara Directorate of Fight Against Narcotic Crimes and the Technical and Operational Support Directorate. Word these institutions carried out field operations technical surveillance operational planning and evidence collection.

Administrative Statements

In a statement made via the X platform by Minister of Interior Ali Yerlikaya it was emphasized that all phases of the operation were meticulously planned by security units evidence was gathered with great care and all security protocols were strictly followed during execution. Yerlikaya stated that the operation launched at 05.00 on 17 April 2025 and named “Narkokapan-Ankara” is the largest drug operation in the history of the Republic.

Yerlikaya noted that the six-month preparation phase involved a comprehensive re-survey of Ankara with field operations and analyses conducted with great diligence suspects were monitored through technical and physical surveillance and every detail of the crimes was thoroughly documented.

Yerlikaya also acknowledged the efforts of the Ankara Governorship the Ankara Republic Public Prosecutor’s Office the Ankara West Republic Public Prosecutor’s Office the General Directorate of Security the Directorate of Fight Against Narcotic Crimes the Ankara Provincial Directorate of Security the Ankara Directorate of Fight Against Narcotic Crimes and the Technical and Operational Support Directorate and congratulated all security personnel deployed in the field.

In his message to the public following the operation Yerlikaya used the phrases “The street you enter is a dead end” and “We will poison the lives of those who attempt to poison our nation.”