Turkish actor Can Yaman is detained in Istanbul during a cocaine bust: betrayed by a tip-off, the mystery of the secret ‘chamber’.
Turkish actor Can Yaman, who is well-known in Italy as the hero of several hit TV shows, including Sandokan, and actress Selen Gorguzel were among seven persons detained after a nighttime anti-drug operation in Istanbul that included raids on nine nightclubs.
Can Yaman and Selen Gorguzel were transported to the Institute of Forensic Medicine for blood testing, according to sources quoted by Turkish media on Saturday.
The probe addresses allegations of “possession of narcotics or stimulants for personal use,” “facilitating the use of narcotics”, etc., and “encouraging a person to engage in prostitution, facilitating such practice, or mediating or providing a place for prostitution”.
Can Yaman, an actor and model born in Istanbul in 1989, is most recognised for his roles in blockbuster television shows.
He played as Chief Inspector Francesco Demir in the Canale 5 series Viola come il mare from 2022 to 2024. In 2025, he appeared in the miniseries Il Turco and the Rai reboot series Sandokan. He has previously starred as a cameo in the series Che Dio ci aiuti 6.
According to the Turkish daily Hurriyet, Yaman’s arrest was the result of a tip-off. According to CNN Turk, which was also referenced by Hurriyet, the Bebek Hotel was suspected of having a “secret room” where recordings may have been made; it appears that this secret room has finally been uncovered.
The local press is now investigating the exact purpose of this supposed chamber and who utilised it, raising the possibility that tapes were made to be used for blackmail.
According to the publication, the prosecutor’s office did not issue an arrest warrant for Yaman as part of the inquiry, but did request inspections of nine sites, including the Hotel Bebek, where the “Sandokan” actor was staying that evening.
However, someone supposedly complained that the actor was doing narcotics, and chemicals were discovered on him during a nightclub check. Yaman was subsequently arrested.
The operation started after midnight, and narcotics were discovered at various businesses. According to the Turkish Hurriyet, the raid was “targeted for celebrities”. The tabloid also released photos of other substances, reportedly collected during the investigation.
Turkish police have detained seven people, including Ayşe Sağlam and Ceren Alper, club owners, managers, and YouTubers.
