ISTANBUL, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Turkish authorities detained 67 irregular migrants and five suspected smugglers in an operation off the southwestern province of Mugla on Friday, the Interior Ministry said in a statement.
A sailboat carrying the migrants was intercepted by the Turkish Coast Guard off the Bodrum district, following intelligence on a planned smuggling attempt, the ministry said.
Two suspected smugglers aboard the vessel were detained, and three others linked to the attempt were later arrested on land, it said.
Türkiye has stepped up efforts against irregular migration and human smuggling, with frequent operations along its Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.
Days earlier, Turkish authorities detained 57 suspected smugglers in raids across the country.
Türkiye currently hosts more than 3.6 million registered foreigners, including 2.24 million Syrians under temporary protection, according to the ministry. ■
