Drug Scandal in Turkey: Famous Director and Musician Detained in Bursa

A major scandal has shaken the Turkish entertainment industry after the famous director, screenwriter, and actor Ezel Akai, along with his brother—popular musician Eren Kazım Akai—were detained by authorities in the province of Bursa.

The operation was carried out by the Anti-Narcotics Department of the Gendarmerie in Bursa. After receiving information that illegal plants were being grown in Ezel Akai's home, an investigation coordinated by the prosecutor's office was launched. During the inspection, cannabis plants grown with specialized equipment were discovered, as well as a significant amount of hashish. The seized substance has been sent for expert analysis.

Following their initial detention, the two brothers were taken for interrogation and subsequently to a local hospital for blood and hair tests aimed at determining whether they had used drugs.

This detention is not an isolated case. Since October of last year, Turkish authorities have been conducting a large-scale campaign against drug use among the elite in the entertainment sector. The list of detainees already includes the names of major stars such as singer Aleyna Tilki, actor Can Yaman, and producer Timur Savcı.

Last year, similar actions even led to the confiscation of a luxury five-star hotel in Istanbul, which, according to the investigation, served as a venue for illegal parties for celebrities and businessmen.