Turkish police arrest 55 alleged human traffickers

By Mustafa Gungor

IZMIR (AA) - Turkish security forces on Tuesday arrested at least 55 suspected human traffickers in operations based in Turkey’s Aegean Izmir province, according to security sources.

Police arrested 55 suspects after prosecutors issued arrest warrants for 104 people who are allegedly members of a criminal organization which organizes illegal crossings across the Aegean Sea, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Police conducted simultaneous operations across 12 provinces to capture suspects engaged in migrant smuggling across the Aegean.

Security forces continue to search for the remaining suspects.

Turkey has been a key transit point for irregular migrants aiming to cross into Europe to start new lives, especially those fleeing war and persecution.

*Writing by Burak Dag