Türkiye detains 273 human smugglers, 1,000+ illegal migrants in countrywide crackdown VIDEO

Turkish authorities have carried out extensive checks in 51 provinces aimed at identifying and apprehending illegal immigrants and their facilitators over the past two weeks.

According to a statement from the Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya on his official X (formerly Twitter), during these coordinated operations, 273 organisers of illegal migrant smuggling and 1,022 illegal migrants were detained, per Caliber.Az reports.

51 ilde göçmen kaçakçılığı organizatörleri ve düzensiz göçe yönelik son 2 haftadır düzenlediğimiz operasyonlarda;
🔻273 göçmen kaçakçılığı organizatörü ve
🔻1.022 düzensiz göçmen yakalandı.

❗️Göçmen Kaçakçılığı Organizatörlerden 98’i TUTUKLANDI. Diğerlerinin işlemleri devam… pic.twitter.com/UK8BsFawLQ

— Ali Yerlikaya (@AliYerlikaya) June 11, 2025

Of those detained migrant smugglers, 98 have been arrested, while investigations continue against the remaining persons.

Türkiye has been a significant transit and destination country for migrants seeking to enter Europe, primarily due to its strategic location bridging Asia and Europe. Over recent years, the country has intensified its efforts to manage migration flows amid regional conflicts and economic challenges in neighbouring countries.

By Khagan Isayev