 Turkish edition.){kind=link}
The growing number of celebrities implicated in a growing drug investigation in Turkey is fueling anxiety across the entertainment industry, with actors and producers increasingly considering mandatory drug testing for actors ahead of filming as a possible safeguard, according to Deutsche Welle (DW) Turkish edition.
The probe, conducted by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, is largely based on statements obtained under a legal provision that allows suspects to receive reduced sentences in exchange for cooperation.
It has already led to the detention and arrest of numerous well-known figures from the television, music and media sectors in recent months on allegations of drug use.
Some of those briefly taken into custody were later released, with media reports saying that a number of drug tests returned positive results.
However, even those whose test results were negative have faced reputational damage, raising concerns across the industry about the broader consequences of being named in the investigation.
The removal of actors such as İsmail Hacıoğlu and Doğukan Güngör from television projects after testing positive has further heightened uncertainty about the fate of others currently involved in productions.
“Everyone is uneasy. There is a fear of who might be next,” a theater and television actor told DW on condition of anonymity. “People are waiting in fear.”
Industry discussions have increasingly focused on possible preventive measures. According to actors who spoke to DW, some producers are considering requiring drug tests before filming begins to avoid disruptions.
“Even a few days in custody can halt filming and cause financial loss,” the actor said. “Producers see what has happened to those who tested positive. They want to avoid that risk.”
The idea has sparked backlash within the sector, with many warning that mandatory testing could violate privacy and lead to informal blacklisting.
Under Turkish law, drug-related offenses such as possession for personal use, facilitating use and trafficking carry varying penalties. While personal use may in some cases result in suspended sentences or treatment, more serious charges can lead to prison terms.
A female actor described the proposal as an intrusion into private life, saying it could stigmatize performers and damage careers.
“This is essentially creating a blacklist,” she said. “It risks labeling actors and harming their professional future.”
She also criticized what she described as a broader portrayal of actors as people who routinely use drugs or live “bohemian” lifestyles, saying it unfairly tarnishes the profession.
“If companies are forced into this, that is another problem,” she said. “If they do it voluntarily, it is still not right. I hope this does not become normalized.”
Producer Şükrü Avşar confirmed that his company does not currently require such testing but acknowledged that the idea is being discussed.
“If this continues, it could become a necessity,” Avşar told DW. “These productions involve very large investments. Producers may not want to take that risk.”
The operations targeting celebrities, which began on October 8, 2025, have continued in multiple waves, with dozens of people detained and arrested.
In the latest phase, prosecutors in İstanbul ordered the detention of 19 suspects as part of the probe, with a court remanding eight of them to jail pending trial and releasing 11 under judicial supervision measures on Monday.
Earlier phases of the investigation saw suspects detained or arrested on similar charges, some of whom were later released after providing statements and biological samples.
In a high-profile development in January, internationally acclaimed Turkish actor Can Yaman was briefly detained during raids that included searches of multiple nightclubs in İstanbul and a hotel on the Bosporus.
Yaman is a Turkish television actor known for lead roles who has built a following in Italy and recently starred as the title character in the Italian adventure series “Sandokan.”
Turkey’s television dramas are a major export, airing across the Middle East, Latin America, Europe and parts of Asia and attracting audiences that follow actors’ private lives along with their on-screen roles.
That global reach means detentions tied to the investigation, including cases involving internationally known names such as Yaman, are likely to attract attention beyond Turkey.
Critics say high-profile drug investigations are sometimes widely publicized while law enforcement fails to sufficiently target large-scale trafficking networks.
According to a 2025 report by the Turkish police, Turkey has moved beyond its traditional role as a transit route for illegal drugs and has increasingly become both a destination market and a production hub, particularly for synthetic substances. The report documented a sharp increase in drug-related operations, with dozens of facilities uncovered in İstanbul alone.
Some also see political undertones in cases involving celebrities, saying they may reflect broader cultural tensions in Turkey under the Justice and Development Party (AKP), which has been ruling Turkey since 2002.