A 55-year-old man identified as S. M. M. was caught trying to enter Turkey through Istanbul Airport using a fake passport. It was determined that the suspect was wanted internationally for migrant smuggling activities.
Teams from the Istanbul Police Department's Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Branch obtained information that the suspect was wanted by multiple countries. Investigations suggested that the suspect planned to enter the country with a forged passport.
According to allegations, S. M. M. was involved in migrant smuggling operations targeting European countries via the Aegean Sea. Consequently, it was understood that Greek and Italian security agencies also had international warrants for the suspect.
The suspect was detained on June 13 while entering Istanbul Airport with a fake passport. It was also confirmed that he had outstanding warrants in Turkey for "forming an organization to commit crimes" and "migrant smuggling."
After being taken to the Istanbul Police Department for questioning, S. M. M. was referred to the judiciary following police procedures. The suspect was arrested by the court and sent to prison.