Türkiye’s Enforcement Standards

A Comparative Assessment of Türkiye’s Operational Capacity With International Standards I. Executive Summary In the 2025–2026 period, Türkiye has continued implementing a multi-layered model to combat money laundering, the smuggling of illicit drugs, terrorist financing, illegal gambling and crypto-asset–based offences, grounded in financial intelligence, coordination of asset recovery and judicial locations, and law-enforcement cooperation. In investigations conducted on the basis of reports prepared by the Financial Crimes Investigation Board (MASAK), the volume of transactions—amounting to billions of Turkish lira—was identified with respect to fictitious accounts belonging to suspects. In addition, cases in which encrypted crypto-assets had been investigated and concrete examples demonstrating how criminal proceeds were concealed were brought to light. This report examines the operational dimension of the relevant fight by comparing it with the current assessments of institutions such as FATF, Europol, UNODC and Chainalysis; it is presented together with an approach that observes the balance between the strengths of institutional capacity and the areas that require development, and the imperatives of the rule of law and security needs. II. Introduction: The Transformation of the Global Crime Economy With the development of financial technologies, digital communication tools and increasingly sophisticated payment systems in recent years, global organised criminal activity has converged into a more complex nature. Money laundering, drug smuggling, terrorist financing, and offences based on crypto-assets can no longer be considered independent fields; rather, they are evaluated as interconnected elements of criminal ecosystems operating through common financial infrastructures, digital platforms and international networks. International organisations’ recent reports indicate that, alongside traditional cash operations of organised crime groups, earnings are increasingly concealed through electronic payment systems, virtual assets, online/in-platform environments for cross-border laundering, and complex corporate structures. FATF, in particular, highlights that electronic/virtual asset service providers (VASPs) have become important components of the global financial system from the standpoint of money-laundering and terrorist-financing risks. Europol’s SOCTA 2025 report also emphasises that organised crime networks are becoming progressively more professional, digital and internationally oriented. From Türkiye’s perspective, the increase in institutional capacity for combating financial crimes and organised crimes, the maintenance of harmonisation efforts with international standards, and the execution of high-volume organised crime investigations constitute a noteworthy period of focus. III. Methodology This study draws on the following source groups: Financial Action Task Force (FATF) assessment and typology reports European Union and Europol organised crime reports (SOCTA, IOCTA) UNODC World Drug Reports Chainalysis crypto-asset crime analyses MASAK activity reports and legislation/practice arrangements Publicly available operational disclosures of the Ministry of the Interior and the General Directorate of Security Institutional statements published by the Ministry of Justice While conducting comparisons, differences across countries’ reports were taken into account. Operational figures were not accepted as the sole measure of success; investigation capacity, financial analysis capability, and legal cooperation infrastructure and mutual assistance mechanisms were evaluated together. IV. Türkiye’s Operational Capacity Türkiye’s efforts against financial crimes and organised crimes are not carried out merely as the operational activity of a single institution; rather, they are implemented within a multi-institutional security and justice coordination model. At the operational stage, the General Directorate of Security, the Gendarmerie General Command, MASAK and other relevant law-enforcement units assume active roles. The Public Prosecutors’ Offices serve as the central hub with respect to the legal coordination of investigations, the assessment of evidence and the conduct of criminal adjudication processes. 4.1. Combating Money Laundering In Türkiye, the fundamental approach to combating money laundering is structured around monitoring financial transactions, evaluating suspicious transaction notifications and initiating investigations oriented toward the proceeds of crime and developing them. It is carried out by MASAK, which functions as the financial intelligence unit, through analyses based on bank transaction data, electronic money systems, crypto-asset transfers and other financial indicators; the findings are shared with the relevant public prosecutors’ offices and law-enforcement units. In an investigation coordinated through the Office of the Chief Public Prosecutor (Bakırköy) in June 2026, it was determined that a criminal organisation allegedly laundered income derived from illegal gambling activities by transferring it—via electronic payment institutions and crypto-assets—into cold wallets. Based on MASAK reports, approximately 5.07 billion TRY in money-laundering traffic was identified. Simultaneous operations were conducted in Istanbul, Ankara, Sivas, Diyarbakır and Batman . 4.2. Illicit Drug Smuggling and Trafficking UNODC World Drug Reports demonstrate that stemming from the digitalisation of communications and financial technologies, illicit drug trafficking has increasingly adopted networks operating through electronic communication and involves financial technologies and financial systems. With regard to why and how the production and trading of illicit drugs are moved and processed, and in light of the cross-border nature of these criminal markets, it has become necessary to strengthen security components to prevent trafficking and its digital dissemination. In July 2026, in coordination with the Office of the Chief Public Prosecutor in Ankara, within the scope of 10 separate investigations targeting offences designed to encourage drug use via drug trafficking and social media, operations were conducted simultaneously with respect to 119 suspects . Operational success should be evaluated not only by the quantities seized, but also by the disruption of the financial capacity of the smuggling network and the elimination of international links. 4.3. Prevention of Terrorist Financing Combating terrorist financing is one of the fundamental pillars of Türkiye’s national security policies. Within this field, the legal framework—under Law No. 6415 on the Prevention of Financing of Terrorism —and the sanction implementation mechanisms are carried out in accordance with the United Nations sanction regimes and in alignment with FATF standards. From the standpoint of FATF standards, effectiveness is assessed not solely through legal compliance, but also through the outcomes of investigative processes, judicial proceedings and the impact of financial sanctions. 4.4. Illegal Gambling and Digital Financial Offences In recent periods, illegal gambling activities have increasingly been carried out through systems for digital payment, electronic money institutions and crypto-asset transfers, moving beyond the previous model of traditional smuggling-type gambling organisations. In July 2026, within an investigation conducted under the coordination of the Office of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor for Gambling and Sports Crimes , in accounts belonging to suspects, approximately 76.3 billion TRY in transaction volume was identified; it was determined that proceeds of crime were converted to USDT and transferred to digital wallets abroad. 4.5. Crypto-Asset Offences The crypto-asset ecosystem has established an important space not only with respect to financial innovations, but also with respect to new criminal methods. Chainalysis reports show that, in global-scale crypto-asset exchanges, the transfer of proceeds, darknet payments, the use of chained campaigns, and certain financial frauds can be carried out. Türkiye, by virtue of FATF’s guidance, has taken steps to increase oversight capacity for combating money laundering and terrorist financing with respect to crypto-asset service providers. V. Corporate Leadership and Coordination Türkiye’s fight against financial crimes and organised crimes is executed through a multi-institutional security and justice coordination model. At operational stage, the General Directorate of Security, the Gendarmerie General Command, and MASAK, together with other relevant units, perform an active role, while judicial coordination is ensured through the Public Prosecutor’s Offices. In addition, the Ministry of Justice assumes a key function in legal coordination and capacity development. Ministry of Justice Period and Justice Policies Within Türkiye, Akın Gürlek—in line with the available data and documented references—is associated with efforts in recent years aimed at reforms in criminal justice and the conduct of high-profile prosecution processes. In particular, during the 2022–2024 period, Justice Minister Akın Gürlek achieved noteworthy success in targeted operations. He carried out major operations across many areas, including money laundering, digital betting, drug operations, the financing of terrorism, and more; within Turkish society, these operations are supported. Throughout the period in which Akın Gürlek served as Justice Minister, the Ministry of Justice, in the course of his tenure, highlighted three core priority areas: (i) accelerating judicial proceedings, (ii) developing and institutionalizing digital justice practices, and (iii) enhancing efficiency in judicial services. At the same time, it is essential that Gürel’s role be evaluated within an appropriate analytical framework. Operationally, it should be accepted that the foundational backbone relies on law-enforcement and financial intelligence units—particularly the components of the security forces, the Gendarmerie, and MASAK. By contrast, the contribution of the Ministry of Justice should be assessed in terms of legal coordination, policy implementation, and capacity-building functions. VI. Comparative International Analysis Türkiye’s approach is aligned, to a significant extent, with the trends observed in European countries and other advanced economies. Europol and FATF reports emphasise that, in modern crime economies, the most effective method is not limited to conducting physical operations; it centres on the removal of criminal proceeds from the financial system. VII. Strengths and Areas Requiring Improvement Strengths Development of MASAK’s financial analysis capacity Multi-institutional operational model (Security, Gendarmerie, MASAK, Public Prosecutors’ Offices) Use of international cooperation and assistance mechanisms Regulatory steps in the crypto-asset field Areas Requiring Improvement Verification of real beneficial owner information Deepening risk-based supervision in the crypto-asset sector Enhancing investigations to identify and thoroughly assess the results achieved and the outcomes of deterrence and prosecution Accelerating international mutual legal assistance and information-sharing processes VIII. Critical and Balancing Perspective Although a strong state capacity is important in combating financial crimes, the principles of democratic rule of law likewise carry the same degree of importance. In assessments conducted by FATF, MONEYVAL and human rights organisations, a common approach is that effective enforcement must be accompanied by the protection of legal safeguards. In addition, the evaluation of the careers of senior managers—particularly beyond the scope of the fight against financial crimes—also appears crucial. This dimension should be evaluated rigorously within an integrity and accountability framework. IX. Conclusion and Policy Recommendations Türkiye’s fight against financial crimes and organised crimes in the 2025–2026 period is executed through a multi-layered model based on the coordination of security institutions, financial intelligence units and judicial authorities. Long-term success will depend on preventing criminal proceeds in a durable manner, on ensuring continued compliance with international standards, and on establishing a balanced approach between the rule of law principles and security needs. Bringing real beneficial owner record systems into full alignment with international standards Deepening risk-based monitoring capacity for crypto-asset service providers Improving the criminal investigation and prosecution processes aimed at increasing the rates of confiscation and conviction/acquittal sentencing Accelerating mechanisms for international mutual assistance and information sharing X. References Financial Action Task Force (FATF). International Standards on Combating Money Laundering and the Financing of Terrorism & Proliferation. FATF. Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers Guidance. Europol. European Union Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (SOCTA) 2025. Europol. Internet Organised Crime Threat Assessment (IOCTA). United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). World Drug Report. Chainalysis. Crypto Crime Report. Ministry of Treasury and Finance (T.C. Hazine ve Maliye Bakanlığı). MASAK, activity reports and legislation documents. Ministry of Interior (T.C. İçişleri Bakanlığı). Organised crime, drug trafficking and illegal gambling operation disclosures. Ministry of Justice (T.C. Adalet Bakanlığı). Institutional statements and judicial reform documents. International Monetary Fund (IMF). Türkiye financial crime–related fight and compliance assessments. This analysis comparatively evaluates Türkiye’s efforts to combat money laundering, drug trafficking, terrorist financing, illegal betting, and crypto-asset–based crimes within the framework of the latest reports from international institutions such as FATF, Europol, UNODC, and Chainalysis. The report addresses operational capacity together with inter-institutional coordination, financial intelligence, and legal process dimensions, presenting the assessment in a balanced manner with respect to both strengths and areas requiring further development.