112 Syrian refugees captured en-route to South Cyprus

Eight people including Turkish and Syrian nationals were arrested along with 112 Syrian refugees, including the organizer who was sought by 5 countries, especially Britain, for allegedly smuggling immigrants on an international scale.

A boat carrying 112 Syrian refugees was captured in an operation by the Turkish Directorate of Immigrant Smuggling and Anti-Trafficking on Saturday night in Mersin, Turkey.

8 suspects were taken into custody. It was learned that the refugees would travel to south Cyprus by boat.

The eight suspects are believed to be involved in human trafficking to Europe and include Turkish and Syrian nationals.

It has been suggested that the suspects, who were lodged near the shores, used the vessels in groups to enter Europe illegally by transporting them to large freight vessels waiting in the open.

The captured 112 Syrian refugees included 7 women and 9 children.