Turkish police have detained 18 Afghan migrants who were found hidden inside a cargo truck transporting dates and pistachio oil in the city of Tokat.
According to reports, the migrants had entered Turkey irregularly through Iran and were attempting to move further داخل the country.
Authorities also arrested the truck driver and referred him to judicial authorities on charges related to human smuggling.
The detained migrants are expected to be transferred to deportation centers in Tokat following administrative procedures.
The incident comes amid an ongoing crackdown on undocumented migrants across Turkey, with Afghan nationals among the most affected groups.
Turkey’s Interior Ministry previously announced that more than 30,000 migrants have been detained since the beginning of the year, including around 9,000 Afghans.
Official data also indicates that over 370,000 Afghan migrants have been detained and deported from Turkey since 2021.
Angle Analysis:
The case reflects both the increasing use of risky smuggling methods and the intensifying enforcement measures by Turkish authorities, placing growing pressure on Afghan migrants attempting to reach or remain in the country.