Luxury cars seized from gangs, arrested influencer turned into police vehicles in Istanbul

ISTANBUL, TÜRKİYE - DECEMBER 29: In a significant move against organized crime, the Istanbul Police Department has put 23 luxury vehicles into service across the city on Tuesday (Dec. 26). These vehicles, obtained through court orders, were previously seized in operations targeting organized crime groups. Among the confiscated vehicles were those belonging to the well-known Turkish social media influencer Dilan Polat. Dilan Polat, boasting 6.8 million Instagram followers, was detained in Istanbul on November 1, 2023. She and her husband Engin Polat were taken into custody for alleged offenses related to "Preventing the Laundering of Crime Revenues" and "Violation of Laws on Tax Procedure, Betting, and Games of Chance in Football and Other Sports Competitions.", according to the Turkish Interior Ministry. In Istanbul, people have shown a keen interest in these luxury patrol vehicles, which are now stationed in key locations such as Fatih, Beyoglu, Kadikoy, Eminonu, and Besiktas. Locals and foreign tourists alike have inspected and photographed the vehicles, particularly at prominent landmarks, Ayasofya and Sultanahmet.(Footage by /Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)