UPDATE - Over 480 undocumented migrants held in Turkey

UPDATES NUMBER OF MIGRANTS, CHANGES HEADLINE, LEDE

By Candogan Parlatan and Ibrahim Yozoglu

IZMIR/SAKARYA, Turkey (AA) - A total of 485 undocumented migrants were held in western and northwestern provinces of Turkey, security sources said Wednesday.

Turkish Coast Guard said that a total of 410 undocumented migrants have been held in operations carried out in Turkey’s western provinces of Izmir and Aydin over the past three days.

Syria, Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan, Senegal, Central and South Africa nationals were referred to provincial migration authorities.

Separately, in Sakarya province, Turkish security forces held 31 undocumented migrants -- all Pakistani nationals.

In Turkey’s northwestern province of Edirne, Turkish gendarme held 44 undocumented migrants -- including Syrian, Afghanistan and Pakistani nationals.

Three people were remanded in custody over their alleged involvement in human trafficking.

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