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Turkish police have detained dozens of suspects linked to an organized crime group accused of attempting to forcibly monopolize the flatbread market in southern Türkiye, authorities said Monday.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said 38 suspects connected to the Baris Turgut Organized Crime Group were apprehended in Mersin during simultaneous raids carried out at multiple locations.
According to Yerlikaya, 17 members of the group were formally arrested, while 19 others were placed under judicial control. Judicial proceedings against the remaining suspects are still ongoing.
Yerlikaya said the group used threats and intimidation against bakery owners in an effort to dominate the local flatbread market.
He said the suspects were involved in two cases of aggravated assault and carried out 10 shooting attacks targeting businesses and individuals producing flatbread.
Authorities seized 23 vehicles and 85 bank accounts linked to the group, with illicit financial transactions totaling $247.98 million over the past five years, the minister said.
During the operation, police also confiscated one long-barreled firearm, five unlicensed handguns and one unlicensed hunting rifle.
The operation comes as Türkiye has intensified nationwide efforts against organized crime, particularly groups linked to drug trafficking.
An operation targeting a gang accused of monopolizing a food sector, such as flatbread production, is considered unprecedented in the country.
Yerlikaya has faced criticism in recent months amid an increase in organized crime-related attacks targeting local businesses, often carried out by motorbike-borne gunmen.
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