Turkish police seize €16.4 million and $700,000 from Kara Haydar's vehicles in Istanbul

September 26, 2026 at 01:41 PM2 min

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Turkish police seized €16.44 million and $700,000 in cash from vehicles linked to Mehmet Fatih Tançalan, known as 'Vanlı Kara Haydar', in Istanbul's Maslak district on September 26, 2026. One suspect was detained and two cars were confiscated during the operation, part of a money laundering investigation led by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

Key Facts

Police seized 57,700 euro banknotes totaling €16.44 million and 7,000 $100 bills totaling $700,000 from vehicles in Maslak, Istanbul.
The seized currency is worth approximately 934 million Turkish lira at current exchange rates.
One suspect was detained and two cars used in the crime were confiscated during the operation.
The operation was conducted at around 02:00 on September 26, 2026, by Ankara's Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Branch.
The investigation is led by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office for laundering proceeds of crime.

The Seizure

Ankara's Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Branch identified that cash belonging to Mehmet Fatih Tançalan was hidden in vehicles in the Maslak neighborhood of Sarıyer district, Istanbul. At around 02:00 on September 26, 2026, police searched the vehicles and found a large number of high-denomination euro and dollar banknotes. The breakdown included 20,000 €500 notes (€10 million), 29,300 €200 notes (€5.86 million), 3,200 €100 notes (€320,000), and 5,200 €50 notes (€260,000). In total, 57,700 euro banknotes and 7,000 $100 bills were seized, amounting to €16.44 million and $700,000. Two cars used in the crime were also confiscated, and one suspect was taken into custody.

Investigation Context

The operation was part of an investigation into laundering proceeds of crime, coordinated by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Mehmet Fatih Tançalan, known as 'Vanlı Kara Haydar', is the main subject of the investigation. Authorities are now investigating the source of the seized cash and its connection to money laundering activities. Tançalan's wife, social media influencer Çağla Öz, was previously arrested in Van in connection with the case.