An operation has been carried out in Turkiye against a migrant smuggling network.

Axar.az reports that the operation took place in the Igdir region following a five-month-long technical and physical surveillance conducted under the coordination of the Igdir Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Provincial Police Department.

As a result of the operation, 12 suspects involved in facilitating illegal border crossings were detained. By court decision, 7 of them were arrested, while the others were released under judicial control or released outright.

The investigation revealed that foreign nationals with entry bans or wanted status were being assisted in crossing the border illegally via the Dilucu border route using forged documents. During searches at the suspects’ addresses, smuggled fuel, numerous passports and identity cards, forged entry-exit documents, narcotics and related paraphernalia, and digital materials were seized.

Out of the 12 suspects referred to judicial authorities, 7 were arrested and sent to prison, while the rest were released under various judicial measures.

The investigation is ongoing.