Turkish prosecutors have ordered the detention of prominent film producer Timur Savcı as part of an expanding drug investigation that has already targeted journalists, social media influencers, business leaders and figures from the television, film and media sectors, marking one of the most wide-ranging narcotics probes in recent years.
The İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, which leads the investigation, said in a written statement that Savcı, the CEO of TİMS&B Productions, was taken into custody on Wednesday on suspicion of multiple offenses under Articles 190 and 191 of the Turkish Penal Code.
Prosecutors accuse him of facilitating drug use by providing a location or paraphernalia, taking measures to prevent users from being caught and purchasing, possessing or using narcotic or stimulant substances.
Savcı is one of Turkey’s best-known producers and the founder of the company behind the Turkish series “Muhteşem Yüzyıl” (The Magnificent Century), which became an international success.
This historical fiction series, revolving around life and intrigue during the reign of Suleiman I, also known in the West as Suleiman the Magnificent, has been viewed by millions of people worldwide.
According to the statement Savcı was detained by the İstanbul Provincial Gendarmerie and transferred to the Council of Forensic Medicine (ATK) for biological sampling, including blood and hair tests. He is expected to be brought before prosecutors for questioning once forensic procedures are completed.
Savcı’s detention comes amid a coordinated operation spanning İstanbul, Muğla, Adana and Antalya. Prosecutors issued detention warrants for 22 suspects in the latest wave, with 20 taken into custody during simultaneous raids, according to the DHA news agency.
The broader case includes allegations of drug manufacturing and trafficking, facilitating drug use, possession and use of narcotics, as well as charges related to prostitution.
Searches carried out at suspects’ homes reportedly uncovered cocaine, cannabis, drug paraphernalia and other illegal materials. A warrant remains outstanding for social media influencer Ezgi Fındık, DHA said.
The investigation first came to public attention on October 8, when gendarmerie units questioned 19 celebrities from the entertainment world, including actors and singers, as part of a drug use inquiry. While those suspects were released without detention, the case later expanded and increasingly focused on the media sector.
In December television presenters Ela Rümeysa Cebeci, Hande Sarıoğlu and Meltem Acet were detained, with Cebeci later jailed after a forensic test came back positive. The probe escalated further with the arrest of Habertürk TV editor-in-chief Mehmet Akif Ersoy and several associates on allegations of facilitating drug use.
More recently, prosecutors questioned businessman and Fenerbahçe club president Sadettin Saran as a suspect after a disputed forensic test result, before releasing him under judicial supervision.
A drug test conducted on a hair sample taken from Saran came back positive for cocaine. Saran denied wrongdoing in a statement, describing the allegations as a smear campaign aimed at damaging his reputation and the institutions he represents.
He added that he was willing to immediately provide additional samples if requested by the authorities.
Journalist Emrullah Erdinç was also detained on December 22 and later released after testifying to prosecutors. Film producer Umut Evirgen and nightclub manager Yaşar Koz were among others briefly taken into custody and freed under judicial supervision on December 23.
Unlike many recent high-profile criminal investigations in Turkey, this probe has not targeted outspoken critics of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan but has instead focused on media figures and business circles widely seen as close to the government.
Prosecutors have also relied heavily on the gendarmerie, a branch of the Interior Ministry that typically operates in rural areas, rather than İstanbul’s police force. Analysts and opposition commentators say the choice reflects concerns about potential leaks from within the police force.