In checks by the Turkish police targeting illegal migration, 666 illegal migrants and 52 people suspected of organizing illegal migrant trafficking were caught in 81 districts of the country, Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced, quoted by state television and radio TRT Haber, BTA reports.
Among the 52 organizers of illegal trafficking detained, 14 are foreigners who will be extradited. Their nationalities were not specified. The illegal migrants were handed over to the Directorates of Migration for return.
According to the statement, the checks were carried out with the participation of over 8 thousand police officers at around 15,000 public places, terminals and checkpoints, in coordination with the governorates, anti-illegal trafficking departments and border services.
Meanwhile, by decree of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, new police directors were appointed in 32 districts of the country, and 22 police chiefs were returned to work at the police headquarters.