Introduction Phone records, messages and digital evidence have become central in Turkish drug trafficking cases. In the past, many narcotics prosecutions depended mainly on physical evidence such as seized substances, packaging, scales, cash or witness statements. Today, however, prosecutors frequently rely on WhatsApp messages, SMS records, call logs, social media conversations, location data, screenshots, phone […]
Introduction Drug crimes involving minors in Turkey are treated with exceptional seriousness. Turkish criminal law views narcotic and stimulant substance offences not only as crimes against public health, but also as conduct that may destroy the physical, psychological, social and educational development of children. When a child is involved in a drug case, the legal […]
Introduction Facilitating drug use in Turkey is a separate criminal offence under Article 190 of the Turkish Penal Code. It is different from drug trafficking under Article 188 and different from drug possession or use for personal consumption under Article 191. The purpose of Article 190 is to punish conduct that does not necessarily amount […]
Introduction Drug offences committed by foreign nationals in Turkey create two separate but closely connected legal risks: criminal prosecution and immigration consequences. A foreigner accused of drug possession, drug use, drug trafficking, drug importation, drug transportation or drug supply may face police custody, prosecutor questioning, criminal court proceedings, pre-trial detention, imprisonment, judicial fines, deportation, administrative […]
Introduction Synthetic drug crimes in Turkey are among the most serious and rapidly developing areas of Turkish criminal law. Unlike traditional narcotic substances such as cannabis, heroin or cocaine, synthetic drugs often involve chemically produced substances, laboratory-made compounds, tablets, powders, liquids, herbal mixtures or newly emerging psychoactive substances. Because these substances can be highly potent, […]
Introduction Cannabis possession in Turkey is a serious criminal law issue. Although cannabis may be treated differently in some countries, Turkish law does not legalize cannabis possession, cannabis use, marijuana use or possession of cannabis products for personal consumption. A person found with cannabis may face a criminal investigation, police questioning, forensic examination, probation obligations, […]
Introduction Forensic reports play a central role in Turkish drug crime cases. In almost every investigation involving narcotic or stimulant substances, the prosecution must rely on scientific evidence to prove the nature, quantity and sometimes the use of the alleged substance. A police report may state that a material appears to be cannabis, cocaine, heroin, […]
Introduction Drug crime defence in Turkey requires a detailed, evidence-based and procedure-focused strategy. Turkish drug laws are strict, and narcotics-related offences are treated as serious crimes affecting public health, public security and social order. However, the seriousness of a drug allegation does not remove the prosecution’s burden of proof. In every case, the court must […]
Introduction Arrest and pre-trial detention in drug trafficking cases in Turkey are among the most serious procedural issues in Turkish criminal law. Drug trafficking allegations usually involve severe penalties, intensive investigation methods, search and seizure procedures, forensic reports, digital evidence, witness statements, police surveillance and, very often, requests for pre-trial detention. Drug trafficking is mainly […]
Introduction Search and seizure in Turkish drug investigations is one of the most important procedural issues in criminal defence. In narcotics cases, the prosecution usually relies heavily on physical evidence: a substance found in a pocket, bag, vehicle, residence, hotel room, workplace, cargo package or storage area. However, the mere existence of a narcotic substance […]