The National Intelligence Organization (MİT) and Coast Guard units carried out an operation against migrant smuggling off Muğla.
The operation was launched after the İzmir Regional Directorate of MİT obtained intelligence indicating that migrant smuggling could take place in the Gümbet area of Bodrum, Muğla.
After the intelligence was shared with Coast Guard units, personnel from the Intelligence Branch Directorates of the Coast Guard Aegean Sea Regional Command and the Coast Guard Southern Aegean Group Command took action.
A Coast Guard Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and the TCSG-901 Coast Guard boat also took part in the operation.
The suspected sailing boat was detected by a UAV
During the Coast Guard UAV's operations in the area, a sailing boat carrying irregular migrants was detected at sea.
Following the UAV's detection, the TCSG-901 Coast Guard boat took action and stopped the sailing boat.
During a check of the boat, 67 irregular migrants were intercepted and two people were detained on suspicion of migrant smuggling.
The operation continued on land
Following the intervention against the sailing boat, teams continued working to apprehend other suspects believed to be connected to the incident.
As a result of surveillance carried out on land by the Intelligence Branch Directorate of the Coast Guard Aegean Sea Regional Command, three more suspects believed to be linked to migrant smuggling were apprehended.
This brought the total number of suspected migrant smugglers apprehended in the operation to five.
MİT intelligence led to the Coast Guard operation
One notable aspect of the operation was the coordinated work of different security and intelligence units.
Following intelligence obtained by the İzmir Regional Directorate of MİT, the Coast Guard's intelligence personnel as well as its air and maritime units were mobilized.
As a result, while the maritime leg of the smuggling activity was disrupted, an operation was also carried out on land against people believed to be connected to the incident.
Sixty-seven irregular migrants intercepted
A total of 67 irregular migrants aboard the sailing boat were intercepted as a result of the operation.
After the necessary procedures, the intercepted irregular migrants were handed over to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management. Judicial proceedings were initiated against the five people apprehended on suspicion of migrant smuggling.
Action against irregular migration continues on land and at sea
Authorities said efforts against irregular migration and migrant-smuggling organizers were continuing through the coordination of land and maritime units.
The operation was completed through the joint implementation of intelligence sharing, UAV detection at sea, intervention by a Coast Guard boat and surveillance efforts on land.
As a result of the operation, 67 irregular migrants were intercepted, while judicial proceedings were initiated against five people on suspicion of migrant smuggling.
