Turkish authorities have dismantled a major criminal network known as the “Baygaralar,” believed to be responsible for 83 serious criminal acts, including murder, arms and drug trafficking, aggravated fraud, and multiple instances of robbery and assault.
The group’s name comes from it’s alleged ringleader, 29-year-old Ramazan Bayğara, who was apprehended in Greece in May after being placed on Interpol’s Red List, according to EuroNews.
The coordinated operation, spanning 16 provinces including Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir, led to the arrest of 270 suspects during extensive raids, according to Monday’s statement from the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Authorities seized a cache of illegal firearms, including 43 unlicensed pistols, 11 rifles, five AK-47 automatic weapons, and four hand grenades. Additionally, large amounts of Turkish Lira, foreign currency, and digital devices were confiscated as evidence.
Property seizures were also part of the raid, with law enforcement temporarily taking control of eight residences, two plots of land, an automobile, four motorcycles, and 19 bank accounts connected to the group’s activities.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the Ministry of Internal Affairs applauded the “heroic officers” and the Adana Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office for their roles in the successful operation. The ministry’s statement reinforced Turkey’s commitment to tackling organized crime, emphasizing the importance of both local and international cooperation.
