Türkiye detains 98 irregular migrants, arrests 21 for human trafficking
Police officers in Edirne carry out an operation to catch irregular migrants, Edirne, Türkiye, Nov. 22, 2024. (AA Photo)
Recent operations across Türkiye have led to the detention of 98 irregular migrants and the arrest of 21 individuals on charges of human trafficking.
These actions, carried out in Edirne, Hatay, and Mugla, highlight the country’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal migration and human trafficking.
8 irregular migrants detained in Edirne
In Edirne, 8 irregular migrants were found in a truck during a routine check by the Provincial Gendarmerie Command’s Migration Smuggling and Human Trafficking Combat Division.
The driver, identified as M.D., was arrested on suspicion of human trafficking. The 8 migrants, 5 from Syria and 3 from Iraq, were found with an inflatable boat. M.D., an employee of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), admitted it was his first involvement in such activity and expressed regret.
The irregular migrants were transferred to the Provincial Migration Management Directorate for further procedures.
60 irregular migrants detained in Hatay
In Hatay, 60 irregular migrants who had entered Türkiye illegally were detained during searches at a vehicle and an address in Antakya’s Esenlik District. Three suspects—B.İ., İ.E., and Z.F.—were arrested on charges of human trafficking.
After their detention, the suspects were brought to court and were remanded in custody. The migrants were taken to the Provincial Migration Management Directorate to begin the deportation process.
30 irregular migrants detained in Mugla
In Mugla, 30 irregular migrants were intercepted off the coasts of Bodrum and Milas. The Coast Guard stopped a commercial yacht and an inflatable boat believed to be carrying migrants.
A total of 24 migrants, including 4 children, were found, and 3 suspected human traffickers were arrested. In a follow-up operation in Bodrum, another 6 migrants were found on a yacht, along with 3 more suspected traffickers.
Additionally, two more human traffickers were arrested on land. All detained migrants were transferred to the Provincial Migration Management Directorate.
