“46 irregular migrants, including 38 Afghans, and 8 Pakistani citizens, were nabbed during a search of a house in the Köprüler neighborhood of the Edremit district,” the statement said.

One Turkish national was arrested on a charge of human trafficking, the statement added.

The necessary procedures for the deportation of the migrants have been launched, according to the statement.

Historically, Turkey has been a country of origin, transit, and destination for migrants and was a crossroads between Europe and Asia.

Recent regional events have contributed to Turkey increasingly becoming a major destination and transit country for those fleeing conflict, poverty, and disasters.

Turkey hosts one of the largest migrant and refugee populations in the world. 

According to the official reports, 113,865 irregular migrants held across the country in 2020. (ILKHA)