Four criminal organizations dismantled in Muğla: 55 suspects arrested, 29 of them detained
In operations conducted in August by teams from the Muğla Provincial Police Department’s Organized Crime Branch, four criminal organizations—two national and two regional—were dismantled. Of the 55 suspects apprehended, 29 were taken into custody; 11 handguns and 2 shotguns were seized during the searches.
This article was translated automatically from Turkish. Türkçe orijinal ›
Teams from the Muğla Provincial Police Department’s Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime (KOM) Branch dismantled four criminal organizations during operations conducted citywide in August. Of the 55 suspects apprehended in the operations, 29 were remanded in custody by the court.
According to police sources, two of the dismantled organizations operated on a national scale, while the other two operated on a regional scale.
Items Seized During Searches
The following items were seized during searches conducted as part of the operations:
- 11 handguns
- 2 shotguns
- 1 blank-firing handgun
- 312 handgun rounds
- 15 shotgun shells
The suspects, whose police procedures were completed, were transferred to the courthouse, and 29 of them were arrested.
What does KOM do?
KOM branch directorates work on issues such as organized crime, smuggling, loan sharking, financial crimes, and money laundering. Since the cases handled by these units generally require long-term technical and physical surveillance, operations are carried out in a single sweep following months of preparatory work. This is why the August report reflects the cumulative results of a month’s worth of work rather than a single day’s activities.
The distinction between “national” and “regional” refers to the scope of the organization’s activities: structures spanning multiple provinces are classified as national, while those limited to a single province or neighboring provinces are classified as regional.
Arrest Does Not Mean Conviction
Arrest is a precautionary measure; it is ordered by a court when there is suspicion of flight or tampering with evidence. At the end of the trial process, the individual may also be acquitted. For this reason, the status of suspects is evaluated under the presumption of innocence until the court’s decision becomes final.
How to report a crime?
Reports regarding organized crime, firearms, and smuggling activities can be made to the 155 Police Emergency Hotline, 156 in gendarmerie areas, and ALO 191 for drug-related matters. Reports can be made anonymously; CİMER can be used for written submissions.
