16 people detained in Istanbul drug case — Euronews
In Istanbul, Turkey, police detained 16 people during anti-drug raids as part of an investigation into celebrities, venue owners and influencers. Those detained include former Galatasaray and Turkey national team footballer Hasan Şaş and actor Aras Bulut İynemli, Euronews reports.
Who was detained
Along with Şaş and İynemli, law enforcement officers detained actress Melis Sezen, rapper Sefo and 12 other people. At the time of publication, authorities had been unable to establish the whereabouts of two more suspects.
Other detainees named include actresses Nilperi Şahinkaya, Melisa Şenolsun and Afra Saraçoğlu, YouTuber Melis İşiten, sports journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu, model Eliz Yeşilçimen, content creator Aydan Osmanlı, singer Anıl Durmuş and businesswoman Hande Demir.
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The essence of the investigation
The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office of the Bakırköy district stated that the investigation concerns suspicions of using narcotic and psychotropic substances, facilitating their use and brokering their supply. During searches and detentions, authorities also ordered biological examinations.
This is the fourth similar anti-drug operation in Istanbul targeting well-known people since the end of 2025. In December 2025, singer Aleyna Tilki, actress İrem Sak and influencer Danla Bilic were detained and later released after biological samples were taken. In May, authorities detained 20 of 25 suspects, and in July conducted searches and biological examinations involving another 25 people. Singer İlyas Yalçıntaş was arrested after the July operation.
