Hakan Ayik, Australia’s most wanted man, has been arrested in Turkey.
Ayik, a former member of the Comanchero motorcycle gang from Sydney, has been wanted by Australian authorities since leaving the country in 2010.
The arrest of Ayik and other well-known Australian figures, including Baris Tukel, Erkan Dogan and Sibel Arif, was detailed in an article on Turkish news site SonDakika.com.
Heavily armed police officers intervened in the arrests and, apparently, a significant amount of cash was seized.
The Turkish website reported that a total of 37 people were captured.
Hakan Ayik, Australia’s most wanted man, has been arrested in Turkey.via REUTERS
Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced that approximately US$250 million ($161 million) in assets were seized during the raid.
“Gang leaders, together with administrators and members of Turkish citizen organizations, as well as members of foreign organizations, come to our country and continue their criminal activities, and try to deliver the drugs they acquired in South America to Australia, the Netherlands and Hong Kong. through South Korea and South Africa, and engage them on a global scale,” his statement read.
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“It has been determined that they intend to launder the income they obtained from crimes in our country.”
Ayik was wanted on an Interpol red notice by authorities in both Australia and the United States.
Ayik, known as “Big Hux” or the “Facebook Gangster,” allegedly became a major drug importer while living in exile in Turkey and had undergone plastic surgery to alter his appearance.
The arrest by Turkish authorities is considered one of the most significant in the country’s underworld history.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) has recognized the Turkish National Police for their efforts in targeting suspected serious transnational organized criminals.
Despite the major arrests, Ayik, whose wealth is estimated at around US$800 million ($515 million), is unlikely to be extradited to Australia due to his Turkish citizenship.
“Turkey is a regional leader in the global fight against serious transnational organized crime,” the AFP statement reads.
“The AFP is prominent in Turkey and has witnessed the determination of the Turkish National Police in disrupting, arresting and charging suspected organized crime figures.
“The AFP, through its international command, continues to work with its international partners to combat serious transnational organized crime.
“The AFP has provided support to the Turkish National Police through Operation Gain and the AFP post in Ankara.”
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Source: vtt.edu.vn