Police work at an explosion site in Ankara, Türkiye, Oct 1, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

ISTANBUL -- Türkiye said on Thursday it had captured Hakan Ayik, a fugitive wanted in Australia for drug smuggling, among 36 others involved in an "international armed organized crime organization" also pursued by US and New Zealand authorities.

Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said the detentions in Istanbul targeted the organization that was allegedly involved in drug trafficking, manslaughter, armed looting, and money laundering globally.

Ayik - dubbed the "Facebook gangster" in Australian media - has been on the most wanted list in New South Wales state for a decade, sought for the "supply of large commercial quantities of drugs"

Yerlikaya said that Ayik, also known as Reis, and Duax Arif Tavukcu, have led the crime ring since last year. Ayik is wanted by US and Australian authorities while Tavukcu is wanted in New Zealand, he said.

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Ayik - dubbed the "Facebook gangster" in Australian media - has been on the most wanted list in New South Wales state for a decade, sought for the "supply of large commercial quantities of drugs".

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In 2010, Australian police arrested associates of Ayik in relation to a large drug shipment. Ayik did not return from a trip to Hong Kong. Interpol issued a warrant for his arrest.

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A US Federal Bureau of Investigation indictment unsealed in 2021 says that Ayik was one of three administrators and four influencers identified in establishing and popularizing the An0m app among criminal networks.

Users thought the app was encrypted but it was actually controlled by the FBI who could monitor their conversations.