From Schiedam to Istanbul: Alleged Dutch-Turkish Drug Baron Caught in Massive Cocaine Bust

Istanbul / Schiedam – It sounds like the plot of a Netflix series, but for residents of Schiedam, it is breaking news. A Turkish national residing in the Netherlands has been arrested in Turkey, accused of orchestrating one of the largest cocaine shipments in European maritime history.

The operation, spanning from the Canary Islands to Istanbul, resulted in the seizure of nearly 10 tonnes of cocaine and the freezing of millions in assets. At the center of the storm is Çetin G., a man allegedly known in the underworld as the “500 Million Euro Man.”

Table of Contents

• The Operation: 10,000 Kilos at Sea
• Who is the “Schiedam Baron”?
• The Turkish Raids: Crypto and Assets Frozen
• The Route: Mersin, Brazil, and the “United S”
• Key Takeaways
• Dutch Learning Corner
• Community CTA

The Operation: 10,000 Kilos at Sea

The intercept took place far out in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of the Canary Islands.

In a joint operation involving the Spanish Navy, the US DEA, and the British NCA, authorities boarded a cargo vessel named “United S”. Inside, hidden among the official cargo, they discovered a staggering 9,994 kilograms of cocaine.

Spanish officials described it as a “milestone” in the fight against drug trafficking. The sheer volume of the drugs suggests a highly sophisticated logistical network capable of moving billions of dollars worth of product across continents.

Who is the “Schiedam Baron”?

While the drugs were seized in Spain, the alleged mastermind was tracked to a different location.

Çetin G., who has reportedly lived in Schiedam, Netherlands for years, is identified by prosecutors as the key figure behind the shipment.

A Heavy Resume:
According to Dutch and Turkish media reports, Çetin G. is not a new face to law enforcement.
* 2012: Linked to an 8-ton cocaine seizure from Ecuador.
* 2016: Sentenced to 12 years in prison in the Netherlands (a sentence connected to previous offenses).
* Total Allegations: Sources claim he has been involved in the trafficking of nearly 15,000 kg of cocaine over his career, earning him the nickname “The 500 Million Euro Man.”

The Turkish Raids: Crypto and Assets Frozen

Following the seizure at sea, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office launched a massive simultaneous operation.

The Impact:
* Raids: Carried out in 6 different Turkish provinces across 19 addresses.
* Arrests: At least 7 suspects, including Çetin G., have been detained.
* Seizures: Authorities have frozen bank accounts, seized luxury cars, real estate, company shares, and significant amounts of cryptocurrency believed to be laundered drug money.

The Route: Mersin, Brazil, and the “United S”

The logistics of the operation reveal a complex global web.

The vessel “United S” officially departed from Mersin Port (Turkey). Its manifest claimed it was carrying salt.

However, investigators believe the ship traveled to ports in Brazil and Suriname to load the illicit cargo before attempting to cross the Atlantic to deliver the drugs to the European market. Four Turkish crew members on board the ship were also arrested by Spanish authorities.

The Defense:
Amsterdam-based lawyer Cem Polat, representing the suspect, has issued a statement denying his client’s involvement. “My client rejects the accusations and has no connection to this shipment,” Polat stated. However, prosecutors argue that the financial trail tells a different story.

Key Takeaways

• The Bust: ~10 tonnes of cocaine seized off the Canary Islands.
• The Suspect: Çetin G., a resident of Schiedam, arrested in Turkey.
• The Scale: Suspect is allegedly linked to €500 million in drug trade history.
• The Assets: Turkey has frozen properties, cars, and crypto wallets.

Dutch Learning Corner

Source / Justice: Openbaar Ministerie & Turkish Media Reports.