By Abdullah Bozkurt/Stockholm
Conviction of a Former Turkish Airlines Employee
A former employee of Turkish Airlines, now a naturalized US citizen, has been found guilty in New York of conducting cryptocurrency-based money laundering operations for drug traffickers, utilizing Turkish networks and financial systems.
Background of Mustafa Göklü
Mustafa Göklü, 53, originally from Turkey, worked for Turkish Airlines in Germany before moving to the United States. After arriving, he married his longtime girlfriend and current Turkish Airlines employee, Tuğba Gündüz Göklü, who is still with the airline.
Creation of a Cryptocurrency Exchange
Post-naturalization in 2014, Göklü, now known as Michael, established a cryptocurrency exchange in New York named Mustangy Corp USA. He also ran a limousine service for elite clients and imported goods from Turkey for resale, obtaining wealth through cryptocurrency investments and offering exchange rates significantly higher than the market average to illicit clients, including drug dealers.
Undercover DEA Investigation
In July 2018, the DEA identified Göklü after he offered Bitcoin cash exchanges on LocalBitcoins.com. An undercover agent acting as a drug trafficker responded, leading to a sting operation. Recorded conversations revealed Göklü frequently met with this agent, trading Bitcoin for large sums of cash, explicitly connected to narcotics sales.
Methods of Operation
Göklü charged a commission of 7-8% on transactions, significantly higher than typical rates, and sometimes brought a money-counting machine to these meetings. By operating within a peer-to-peer exchange network without typical identity checks, he thought he was maintaining client anonymity, unaware that he was dealing with a DEA agent.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
Göklü was indicted in April 2019 and subsequently convicted in October 2022. He was sentenced to 16 months in prison, with a release scheduled for March 4, 2025. Throughout the hearings, he claimed innocence and contended that cryptocurrency exchanges did not require licensing as per New York state law. However, the judge emphasized that the jury had sufficient grounds to conclude he knowingly engaged in illegal activities.
Implications of the Case
This case highlights Turkey’s role as a significant center for money laundering linked to organized crime and drug trafficking. Critics argue that the Turkish government, led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has turned a blind eye to these activities, fostering environments where criminals can operate with impunity in exchange for financial gain.
