1 organizer and 37 migrants detained in migrant smuggling operation in Çanakkale

Within the scope of the studies conducted in Çanakkale, teams from the Provincial Gendarmerie Command's Department of Combating Smuggling of Migrants and Human Trafficking conducted an operation to prevent human smuggling activities over a certain period. In planned work carried out between June 26 and July 2, efforts were made to strike a blow against illegal migration movements in the region, and security forces took action based on the intelligence they received. During the operations, 1 organizer suspect who managed and coordinated the migrant smuggling organization and 37 illegal migrants who were determined to have entered the country illegally were detained. The operations focused not only on suspects and migrants but also on seizing the vehicles and equipment used for these activities.

While numerous materials were seized during the security forces' operation, including an automobile used to transport migrants, an inflatable rubber boat, and a boat engine used to enable the boat's movement. Additionally, 1,800 US Dollars and 4,655 Turkish Liras in cash, obtained from the suspect's illegal activities and revealing the financial dimension of the crime, were seized by security forces as criminal evidence. The automobile seized within the scope of the operation was returned to its owner within legal frameworks to protect the right of ownership as it was not suspicious. In contrast, the inflatable rubber boat and boat engine used in human smuggling and considered instruments of the crime were towed to the impoundment lot under police custody as evidence and to prevent the recurrence of crimes.

Judicial proceedings were initiated against the detained organizer suspect under the charge of 'Human Smuggling' within the scope of Turkish Criminal Law, and the process is continuing within the legal framework. The situation of the migrants, unlike that of the organizer, was handled within the scope of administrative procedures; preparations were completed for the necessary administrative procedures regarding the deportation or completion of proceedings for the 37 illegal migrants. Following the completion of these procedures, the migrants were handed over to the Migrant Reception and Transfer Center (GÖKSEM) in the Ayvacık district of Çanakkale to be temporarily accommodated and for processing procedures to continue.

Due to Çanakkale's geographical position and its location at a strategic point in preventing irregular migration in our country, Provincial Gendarmerie Command teams continue these operations uninterruptedly. The measures taken against migrant smugglers planning illegal crossings via sea routes and the increased frequency of organized operations aim to raise the security level in our region. Removing the boats and engines seized in these operations from the waters is an important step taken to prevent possible loss of life at sea. It is observed that due to the superior efforts of the Gendarmerie units against the increasing migrant smuggling incidents recently, the rate of organizers being caught has increased and financial gains have been seized.

This study is significant not only for preventing the commission of a crime but also for ensuring that migrants who are victims of human trafficking are processed under conditions befitting human dignity. It was announced that the status of the migrants handed over to the Ayvacık Migrant Reception and Transfer Center would be evaluated within the framework of international agreements and national legislation, and the necessary administrative decisions would be made regarding them. On the other hand, it was learned that the decision to release the detained organizer under judicial control conditions or to arrest them would take shape following the investigation and judicial process to be conducted by the prosecutor's office. It was emphasized that operations of this kind would continue decisively to ensure peace and security in Çanakkale, and the struggle against persons supporting or assisting migrant smuggling would continue.