Istanbul migrant smuggling crackdown arrests several suspects across three cities

Turkish police intercepted a commercial taxi in Avcılar, Istanbul, that was transporting four undocumented migrants toward Europe. The driver and an alleged organiser, identified as A. Z., were detained. A search of A. Z.'s residence yielded 48,350 lira, 365 euros, two counterfeit passports and a mobile phone. Police disclosed that migrants pay between €230 and €250 per person for the journey.

The operation formed part of a broader investigation coordinated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. Simultaneous raids were carried out in Istanbul, Ağrı and Yalova, resulting in the arrest of six additional suspects linked to the smuggling network. Digital evidence and seized items have been added to the case files, and the four migrants are being forwarded to the Directorate of Migration Management for deportation.