Istanbul Court Orders Arrest of 17 in Wide-Ranging Drug Probe

Court Orders Arrests in Extensive Drug Investigation

An İstanbul court has ordered the arrest of 17 suspects as part of a comprehensive drug investigation that has targeted a diverse group of individuals, including businesspeople, media figures, and social media influencers in Turkey. The court's decision was issued on December 27, 2025, following proceedings at the İstanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan.

The arrests are the latest development in an ongoing probe initiated by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, specifically its Smuggling, Narcotics and Economic Crimes Investigation Bureau. Authorities had initially issued detention orders for 22 suspects, with 20 individuals subsequently taken into custody during simultaneous operations conducted across Istanbul, Muğla, Adana, and Antalya.

Scope of the Investigation and Allegations

The investigation encompasses a range of serious allegations, including:

• Drug manufacturing and trafficking
• Providing a place or equipment to facilitate drug use
• Helping users avoid detection
• Purchasing or possessing drugs for personal use
• Promoting prostitution

This wide-ranging narcotics probe has drawn significant public attention since it began in October 2025, with authorities questioning numerous public figures and collecting biological samples. The case gained wider prominence in December with several high-profile detentions and arrests.

Prominent Figures Involved

Among those arrested or detained in connection with the investigation are various individuals from the public eye. The 17 individuals formally arrested include businessman Mahmut Uğur Ziylan, model Melisa Fidan Çalışkan, dancer Nuran Çokçalışkan, restaurateur Hamdi Burak Beşer, and businessman Mehmet Tosmur. Other names mentioned in connection with the probe, some of whom were detained and later released or had warrants issued, include:

• Television presenter Mehmet Akif Ersoy, who was jailed
• Film and television producer Yusuf Timur Savcı
• Pop star Aleyna Tilki
• Actress İrem Sak
• Social media influencer Danla Bilic
• Television presenter Ela Rümeysa Cebeci, who was arrested
• Fenerbahçe club president Sadettin Saran, who was detained after a positive narcotics test and later released under judicial supervision
• Actress Ezgi Eyüboğlu
• Social media influencer Ezgi Fındık, for whom a warrant was issued
• Businessmen Kasım Garipoğlu and Burak Ateş, who were also targeted by warrants

The İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that the investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing their efforts to combat narcotics-related offenses across the country.