Human trafficking operation launched across five Turkish cities

MUĞLA - Anatolia News Agency

Eighteen suspects were detained as a result of the simultaneous raids against a network of suspects accused of human trafficking by aiding immigrants across borders in in Muğla, Istanbul, İzmir, Aydın and Çanakkale. AA photo

Security forces in five cities, including Istanbul, launched simultaneous raids against a network of suspects accused of human trafficking by aiding immigrants across borders.

Eighteen suspects were detained as a result of the raids which went on in Muğla, Istanbul, İzmir, Aydın and Çanakkale. Three of the detained were Syrian nationals, according to Anatolia news agency, and four suspects were released following proceedings at the police stations.

The raids followed a nine-month investigation, prompted by the increase of illegal trafficking in the region. During the raids, 12 boats, two vans and one motorcycle were confiscated by forces.

The suspects are accused of operations linked to 17 acts of human trafficking across different coastal towns. Over 250 Syrians, in attempts to cross borders, were also caught through the raids.

The suspects remaining in custody were then sent to court to face charges related to “organized trafficking of immigrants.”

The suspects attacked members of the press, who were at the site to follow up the story, as they arrived at the courthouse. Police forces intervened immediately and broke the suspects away from the reporters.

The court so far arrested four suspects, on charges of occupying high-ranking posts in the trafficking organization and aiding immigrants to Greece across the Aegean sea from Bodrum.