Security units foil refugee trafficking in Turkey's two western towns
13:29, 02/10/2015, Friday
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Totally 232 refugees, in an attempt to cross into Greece, were captured in separate operations conducted by Turkish Security Forces in two Aegean and Marmara Sea coastal towns
Turkish Security Forces caught 232 refugees as they attempted to illegally cross into Greece just on Thursday in the operations that were launched in the northwestern Kumburgaz town, just west of Istanbul on the Marmara Sea coast, and the town of Kuşadası in Turkey's western Aegean province of Aydin. The police stopped three busses carrying refugees from Istanbul district of Zeytinburnu to Kumburgaz, capturing hundreds of refugees. While 170 illegal refugees in the busses were sent to the Foreigners' Department, 9 human- traffickers were taken to police station. Also, it is stated that many life-saving jackets were found in the busses.
Meanwhile, Turkish gendarmes also captured a group of illegal refugees in the Kuşadası district of Aydın province. According to the statement of governorship, 3 refugees of Somalian origin and 59 refugees of Syrian origin were caught, while 5 smugglers were taken into custody. Also, one suspected smuggler who ran away during the operation is being sought.
The Syrian refugees who enter Turkey via its southeastern border try to reach Europe via its western borders, so Turkey's coastal towns become a gateway for refugees who wish to journey to Europe via the Greek Islands.