Hakan Ayik, Australia’s most wanted man, has been arrested in Turkey.
Mr Ayik, a former member of the Sydney Comanchero bikie gang, has been wanted by Australian authorities since leaving the country in 2010.
The arrest of Mr Ayik and other 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 were involved in the arrests, and a significant amount of cash was allegedly seized.
The Turkish website reported that a total of 37 people were captured.
The Turkish Minister of Internal Affairs Ali Yerlikaya announced that approximately $250 million in assets were seized during the raid.
“Gang leaders, along with Turkish citizen organisation managers and members, as well as foreign national organisation members, come to our country and continue their criminal activities, and try to deliver the drugs they procured from South America to Australia, the Netherlands and Hong Kong via South Korea and South Africa, and commit them on a global scale,” his statement read.
“It has been determined that they are trying to launder the income they obtained from crimes in our country.”
Mr Ayik was wanted on an Interpol red notice by authorities in both Australia and the United States. Mr 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) acknowledged the Turkish National Police for their efforts in targeting alleged transnational serious organised criminals.
Despite the significant arrests, it is unlikely that Mr Ayik, whose wealth is estimated to be approximately $800 million. will be extradited to Australia due to his Turkish citizenship.
“Turkey is a regional leader in the global fight against transnational serious organised crime,” the AFP statement read.
“The AFP is posted in Turkey and has witnessed the Turkish National Police’s determination in disrupting, arresting and charging alleged organised crime figures.
“The AFP, through its international command, continues to work with its international partners to combat transnational serious organised crime.
“The AFP has provided support to the Turkish National Police through Operation Gain and the AFP’s Post in Ankara.”