Türkiye detains celebrities in major drug probe

Türkiye woke up to a new wave of arrests targeting well-known public figures as part of a large-scale investigation into drug use, Turkish media report, CE Report quotes BTA.

Among the 11 people detained this morning are some of the most popular young actors starring in hit TV series, including Burak Deniz and Hafsanur Sancaktutan. Also detained are Sinem Ozgenc Unsal, Elif Busra Pekin, Ahsen Eroglu, as well as rapper Norm Ender (Ender Eroglu), and musicians Utku Unsal and Mert Demir.

According to a statement from the Terrorism and Organized Crime Investigation Bureau under the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, arrest warrants were issued for 14 suspects. They are believed to have been involved in crimes such as purchasing, possessing, or using narcotic or stimulant substances, as well as distributing them.

Of those targeted, 11 have been detained, two are missing, and one is abroad.

The detainees have been taken in for questioning and are expected to appear before court and undergo drug testing.

Actress Hafsanur Sancaktutan is currently starring in the highly rated TV series Kıskanmak (“Jealousy”).

Burak Deniz, born in 1991, is part of the younger generation of actors. Among his notable roles is in the series Bambaşka Biri, where he starred alongside Hande Ercel.

Hande Erçel was also detained during the authorities’ anti-drug campaign but was released after testing negative.

Earlier, singer Simge Sagın was detained and later released, although she was banned from leaving the country. Actor Ibrahim Celikkol was also detained and subsequently released.

The large-scale investigation into drug use in Türkiye’s entertainment industry began in October last year. A long list of actors, journalists, performers, singers, musicians, influencers, producers, and businesspeople have been detained in several operations so far. Among them were singer Aleyna Tilki, actor Can Yaman, and producer Timur Savcı.

In February this year, a court in Istanbul arrested the owner of the five-star Bebek Hotel on the Bosphorus and confiscated the property, where, according to investigators, parties involving drug use by members of the elite — including actors, singers, and influencers — had taken place.