Gold smuggling case, reportedly linked to resignation of 3 Turkish MPs, may expand

Duvar English

After three lawmakers from the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) on Nov. 20 resigned amidst allegations tied to a gold smuggling investigation, reports have been showing that the involvement may have been deeper in the bureaucratic and political circles.

Journalist Timur Soykan from daily BirGün had previously reported that intelligence teams identified five individuals from the ruling People’s Alliance—two former and three current MPs—who were involved in gold smuggling through Istanbul Airport’s VIP section.

In his Oct. 9 article, Soykan reported that Yunus Emre Morkoç, accompanied by former ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lawmaker Fatih Metin, was caught with 60 kilograms of smuggled gold in his suitcase while using the VIP Lounge at Istanbul Airport.

In his latest report on Nov. 22, Soykan stated, "The gold smuggling scandal involving the VIP Lounge led to the resignation of three lawmakers from the MHP. However, it is alleged that many other politicians and bureaucrats, beyond the three from MHP, are involved in the gold smuggling scheme."

Soykan reported that intelligence units identified two additional former MHP deputies using the VIP Lounge at Istanbul Airport to smuggle gold from Dubai. He also noted that these individuals have been still part of MHP's executive boards, and their resignations have reportedly been requested.

The journalist also mentioned that there were serious allegations against another current MHP lawmaker, and that the investigation concerning them was ongoing.

The journalist reported, "Like Fatih Metin, a former AKP lawmaker from the Black Sea region also used the VIP lounge for multiple trips to and from Dubai, engaging in gold smuggling. This former MP and his son are said to have formed a courier team. Under his guidance, seven couriers made numerous trips to Dubai each month without luggage, returning with large, full suitcases." 

According to the report, there has been a significant increase in the wealth of the former MP and his son since March 2024. They have reportedly purchased ultra-luxury cars and large plots of land in Ankara.

Two security officers arrested in Istanbul Airport

On Nov. 21, it was reported that as part of an investigation led by the Istanbul Gaziosmanpaşa Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, an operation had been carried out at Istanbul Airport following eight months of technical and physical surveillance of suspects accused of gold smuggling.

At the airport, a person who identified themselves as a lawyer, along with two security personnel working at the airport and four couriers, was detained on charges of smuggling gold into the country. 

According to allegations, the smuggling network used private security officers and couriers to carry out their operation, and their route map was uncovered. The security personnel reportedly received $1,000 for each kilogram of gold smuggled into the country. 

Two private security officers met with the suspect smuggling gold in the airport's international section bathrooms to take possession of the gold. The officers then hid the gold in their clothing and handed it over to the couriers waiting outside the airport. The couriers then delivered the gold to the person known as the “lawyer.” 

The gold smuggled into the country was later handed over to an Azerbaijani businessman.

The anti-smuggling teams apprehended two security officers with 16 kilograms of gold, valued at 50 million Turkish liras ($1.45M). Two security officers, four couriers, who had been posing as a family, and the “lawyer” were also arrested.

It was reported that the Azerbaijani businessman involved in the operation was abroad, and efforts to capture him were ongoing.

It was also claimed that three days after the female security officer was imprisoned, she purchased a four million liras apartment in Istanbul through her father.

Gold industry rep: ‘Gold smuggling resurfaces after 35 years’

The chair of the Association of Jewelry Manufacturers and Exporters (TÜİD), Mustafa Kamar, stated that gold smuggling has resurfaced after 35 years. 

Speaking to the Dünya newspaper, Kamar highlighted that small and medium-sized enterprises (KOBİ in Turkish) have been facing significant hardships due to the quota system.

Kamar stated, "Without listening to the sector, the rushed implementation of the quota system has started transferring wealth to a small number of firms, fewer than 10 to 15, who have gained privileged status." According to Kamar, the cost of gold has been approximately $5,000 more expensive in Turkey compared to international markets, which has led to the resurgence of smuggling after 35 years.

The Turkish government announced in 2023 that it had decided to implement a quota as a measure to reduce the import of unprocessed gold. The monthly quota amount was set at 12 tons, which is 1.5 times the long-term average monthly import of unprocessed gold, which is 8 tons.

Kamar stated that the gold sector employs 60,000 people, and in the last three months, 4-5,000 workers have been laid off. He warned that after the new year, mass layoffs could affect tens of thousands. 

Kamar stated, "We are encountering news of gold smuggling that is beyond imagination. We see individuals whose identities are unknown arriving at airports and customs, with gold products of the same size around their necks and in their hands. Due to the increase in smuggling and abuses, exporters are being treated as criminals at customs and facing obstacles."

Kamar called for the removal of the quota system and for a review of regulations that limit gold imports, which were also negatively impacting gold jewelry exports.