Türkiye apprehends 487 irregular migrants in a week

A total of 487 irregular migrants were apprehended across Türkiye between April 7 and 13 during 15 separate operations.

These operations, aimed at curbing illegal border crossings by both land and sea, also led to the arrest of 17 individuals on charges of migrant smuggling. Nine of the suspects were later formally arrested.

The operations were carried out by Turkish Coast Guard, Gendarmerie, and police forces across several provinces, including Izmir, Mugla, Edirne, Amasya, Artvin, Erzurum, Hatay, and Kirklareli.

After the necessary legal procedures, the detained migrants were transferred to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management.

Authorities have strengthened surveillance along both sea and land routes to prevent illegal border crossings, with particular focus on disrupting migrant smuggling activities. In one instance, 14 irregular migrants were discovered hidden inside a truck in Erzincan, leading to the arrest of the driver on suspicion of migrant smuggling.

In Artvin, three migrants were found hiding in a field, and two individuals were arrested for trafficking.

Additional operations by the Coast Guard and Gendarmerie successfully rescued numerous migrants, including children, who were attempting to cross illegally.

Türkiye continues to intensify its efforts to combat irregular migration and migrant smuggling.