Turkish actress Afra Saracoglu was detained at an airport on September 21 as part of an anti-narcotics investigation, according to local newspaper Hurriyet.
The Zimorodok star had been traveling in Paris when an arrest warrant was issued for her by Turkish authorities. She reportedly learned about her inclusion on the law enforcement target list after seeing media coverage of the operation.
Speaking before her return to Turkey, Saracoglu said she would return as soon as possible so that justice could prevail. She added that she intended to cooperate fully with law enforcement agencies and assist in ensuring a fair legal process.
Upon her arrival at the airport on September 21, law enforcement officers took her into custody. Saracoglu was escorted to the relevant security departments to present her defense and prove her innocence. At the time of writing, the official results of her toxicology tests for narcotics remain unknown.
Wider operation targets Turkish television actors
The detention of Saracoglu follows a broader police operation conducted earlier in the week. On September 18, security forces detained several other well-known television performers, including Aras Bulut Iynemli, Melis Sezen, Nilperi Sahinkaya and Melis Isiten.
The sweep has drawn widespread public attention across Turkey, where television actors enjoy immense popularity. Saracoglu is best known for playing the lead role of Seyran in the hit drama series Zimorodok, which has built a significant fan base both in Turkey and internationally.
Her fellow detainees are similarly prominent across Turkish media. Iynemli gained widespread acclaim for his leading role in the action drama series Cukur, while Sezen, Sahinkaya and Isiten have starred in numerous top-rated television series and theatrical productions.
Previous anti-narcotics probes in entertainment industry
The recent detentions mark the latest in a series of high-profile drug investigations involving figures from Turkey's screen industry. In March 2026, actress Hande Ercel gave formal testimony to police as part of another major anti-narcotics crackdown.
Ercel, who rose to global fame starring in the romantic comedy series Knock on My Door, was among 14 people detained during that earlier police operation. Turkish authorities have frequently targeted high-profile public figures during wide-ranging anti-narcotics raids in major cities across the country.
