Turkish police seize criminals and bikie gangs’ fleet of luxury vehicles

Cops are getting revenge on organised crime networks and bikie gangs by taking their prized possessions away from them and giving them the ultimate makeover.

It is the ultimate revenge with the police getting the last laugh on criminals.

Some of the world’s fastest cars including Lamborghinis, Ferraris and Bentleys are being seized, repainted and turned into traffic police cars.

Those cars are now in possession of the Turkish National Police and on patrol in the streets around Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar, amid calls for Australian cops to consider a similar scheme.

Australian Federal Police Assistant Commissioner Kirsty Schofield saw the high powered police cars in Istanbul during a meeting with Turkish police.

AFP Assistant Commissioner Kirsty Schofield. Picture: Supplied

“There was a Lamborghini, there was a Bentley and a Mercedes which were traffic police cars,” she said after visiting Turkey in April.

“Those cars now have the Turkish National Police emblem on the side, and they are traffic police cars, and they use them within Istanbul.

“It’s for the community to see that okay, if you’re going to commit a crime and you get caught, your assets will be taken.

“It’s a disruption. It’s a disruption on display”.

The luxury vehicles seized during the operation against the "Comanchero" criminal organisation which was led by the person wanted with the red notice, were allocated to the police force. Picture: X

In December 2023, Turkey’s Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya posted a video to social media showcasing 23 luxury cars seized by criminals and turned into police cars.

“You have always heard this promise from us since the first day we took office,” Mr Yerlikaya posted.

Vehicles including brands such as Porsche, Ferrari and Bentley, were wrapped and turned into police vehicles. Picture: X

“As a result of the successful operations carried out by our Istanbul Police Department against organized crime organizations, 23 vehicles were seized.

“Following the court decision, these vehicles were handed over to our police,” he posted.

“From now on, these tools do not belong to criminal organizations; It will be at the disposal of our police and at the service of our Nation!”.

Accused Australian drug kingpin Hakan Ayik was arrested in Turkey last year, along with 36 others, including senior Comanchero bikie figures.

Hakan Ayik arrested by Turkish authorities. Picture: Supplied

Ayik, who has a Turkish passport and could not be extradited, was charged with offences in Turkey and was still to face court.

AFP officers from the Operation Gain task force assisted Turkish police in their investigation.

The Turkish police tactic emerged as a new podcast Cocaine Inc. produced by True Crime Australia and the UK’s Times and Sunday Times, revealed how Australian criminals were joining forces with international gangs to move tons of drug on to our shores.

Listen to the Cocaine Inc. podcast below:

Episode 7, out today, reveals takes listeners to Dubai where we go we go undercover in a world where nobody asks questions.

In Australia, the Australian Federal Police have seized luxury cars, cash, boats, watches and real estate as they take the “profit out of crime”.

More than $1.1 billion has been seized in four years, almost double the target set.

Rolex watches worth $100,000, Louis Vuitton handbags and a $10 million home, paid for in cash, were also among the items taken from criminals.

Luxury cars, gold bullion and high-end items seized as part of an ongoing NSW Police investigation.

They are restrained by the Australian Financial Security Authority until court proceedings conclude, with assets then sold at auction with the proceeds directed to crime prevention programs.

A Rolex seized from a house in Victoria as part of Operation Avarus-Nightwolf.

A motorcycle seized as part of an ongoing investigation into unexplained wealth.

Organised crime costs the Australian economy $60 billion each year, according to the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.

Criminals at the top of the drug chain hide their involvement, making convictions in court challenging.

Asst Comm Schofield said police were disrupting criminal networks by taking their profits.

“We take their money, we take the profit out of the crime,” Asst. Comm. Schofield said.

“I don’t think we can arrest our way out of this, we do a targeted approach to very much focus on the upper echelon because one arrest of the right person can have a significant impact.”

Originally published as Turkish police seize criminals and bikie gangs’ fleet of luxury vehicles