A total of 83 irregular migrants were held in eastern and northwestern Turkey on Monday, security sources said.
The governor’s office in the eastern Van province said 78 irregular migrants, including 67 Afghan, two Sri Lankan, and nine Pakistani nationals, were held as part of an anti-human smuggling operation.
Also, a group of five Palestinians and Afghans were held by gendarmerie forces in the northwestern Kirklareli province as they were attempting to cross to Bulgaria.
Two suspected human smugglers were also arrested.
The irregular migrants were referred to local migration offices.
Turkey has been a key transit point for asylum seekers aiming to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.
The country already hosts 4 million refugees, more than any other country in the world.
