215 undocumented migrants held across Turkey

By Cuneyt Celik and Fahrettin Gok

ANKARA

A total of 215 undocumented migrants were held across Turkey on Tuesday, according to gendarmerie and police sources.

Gendarmes detained 159 undocumented migrants in western Izmir province alone, a gendarmerie source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

The migrants, including Africans, Syrians and Yemenis were held along the coastline as they were making preparation to reach Greece using an illegal route.

A suspect was also arrested for human trafficking, the source added.

In southern Hatay's Kirikhan district, police held 29 undocumented Syrians during a raid on a house, a police source said.

The owner of the house was arrested, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

Gendarmes also detained 10 undocumented Afghans in eastern Kars province, a gendarmerie source said.

The source said more than 4 kilograms (9 pounds) of cannabis was also found on two of the migrants.

Separately, police detained nine undocumented Afghans in eastern Erzurum. Eight of the migrants were found hiding in car trunks.

A court in Erzurum also remanded in custody four Iranians for human trafficking.

Police also held 10 undocumented Afghans in central Sivas province, another police source said.

The source added the migrants were found in two taxis that were stopped by police; the taxi drivers were arrested.