“48 irregular migrants were nabbed during a search of 3 separate houses in the operation supported by a helicopter in the İpekyolu district,” the statement said.

Three Turkish nationals were 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.