Nearly 460 irregular migrants held in NW Turkey

By Hakan Mehmet Sahin and Burak Akay

EDIRNE/CANAKKALE, Turkey

A total of 458 irregular migrants were held in northwest Turkey on Monday, according to gendarmerie sources.

Out of total, 386 irregular migrants were held in the northwestern province of Edirne, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Among the migrants were Iranian, Somalian, Palestinian and Moroccan nationals. They were referred to the local migration office.

In a separate operation in Canakkale, another northwestern province, the gendarmerie held 72 irregular migrants, who were seeking a route to the Greek island of Lesbos.

Four people were arrested on suspicion of organizing human trafficking.

The court remanded a suspect, while three others were released under judicial control.

Turkey has been the main route for refugees trying to cross into Europe, especially since the beginning of the civil war in Syria.