In a massive operation that has shocked Turkish public opinion, authorities have arrested seven people, including world-famous actor Can Yaman, on suspicion of involvement in a vast drug trafficking and prostitution ring.
The star, who is currently enjoying tremendous success in Italy with his latest project "Sandokan", was detained during a coordinated operation between the Military Gendarmerie Forces and the Anti-Drug Agency, which carried out simultaneous raids on seven strategic businesses in Istanbul, including the iconic Bebek Otel hotel on the Bosphorus and the Klein Phönix nightclub.
According to an official announcement from the Istanbul Chief Prosecutor's Office, significant amounts of cocaine, marijuana, drug pills, suspicious liquid preparations, as well as precision scales and ammunition were seized during these searches. In addition to actor Yaman, who was reportedly released this Sunday while investigations continue at large, actress Selen Görgüzel, former presenter Nilufer Batur Tokgöz, as well as Ayşe Sağlam and Çeren Alper were also arrested, while the operation has already led to the imprisonment of producer Muzafer Yıldırım, owner of Bebek Otel.
The investigation led by the Smuggling and Economic Crimes Prosecutor's Office is examining a wide range of criminal offenses ranging from possession and facilitation of drug use to procuring prostitution and money laundering, leading to the detention of 36 people and the issuance of arrest warrants for 26 other suspects. While authorities are searching for Kasim Garipoglou and Mert Vindinli, who are believed to have fled the country, the assets of seven key individuals have already been frozen as part of this unprecedented process that has targeted models, influencers, journalists such as Mehmet Akif Ersoy and senior executives, including Fenerbahçe president Sandet Saran, who after his release under judicial supervision has announced extraordinary elections for the head of the sports club.
