FORMER FIGHTER SHOT
Claim ex-MMA fighter linked to drug ring
THE former MMA fighter allegedly used as an enforcer for a Cairns drug syndicate is in a stable condition after a Gold Coast shooting.
Gokhan “Pitbull” Turkyilmaz, 33, was shot eight times in the leg and the groin at a Gold Coast house on Tuesday.
He is being treated at Gold Coast University Hospital.
Anonymous Gold Coast sources and police believe Mr Turkyilmaz was confronted in a carpark by a man with a machete prior to the shooting.
It is understood Mr Turkyilmaz allegedly later approached the man’s house, where he was shot.
Mr Turkyilmaz is on bail on serious drug charges after being arrested in a major police operation in 2017.
Police allege Mr Turkyilmaz, a former MMA fighter and tattoo shop owner, was the “enforcer” of an ice trafficking ring, funnelling large quantities of the drug into Cairns.
The matter had been adjourned for mention in the Cairns Supreme Court tomorrow.
Justice Jim Henry put defending counsel for the accused on notice earlier this month after an unproductive sitting.
The court heard that several of the assorted defendants opted to progress their matters separately or had further charges pending in the Magistrates’ Court.
“… sitting here like the big mess it currently is … all of you will be in a position to tell me that you have, heaven forbid, filed an application for separate trials … or be listed for sentence,” Justice Henry said.
“The disaster that has been this morning’s mention … (was a) pointless exercise.”
The Department of Public Prosecutions said it was a matter for defence counsel to apply for matters against Mr Turkyilmaz to be adjourned, pending his recovery.
It is unknown whether he would otherwise appear in court via video link.