Kadri Kaya / Balıkesir, Jan 26 () - Some 28 refugees and 12 human smugglers were caught during two different police operations in Ayvalık district in Aegean province of Balıkesir.

A motorboat along with eight vehicles including two taxis owned by smugglers were seized during the operations by District Police Department Anti-Smuggling and Organised Crime teams.

The group were seeking to carry refugees to Greek island of Lesbos through Cunda Island. Suspects said to be from Istanbul, Şırnak, Balıkesir and Ayvalık were sent to court, while 10 of them were arrested.

Since the beginning of 2016, some 24 smugglers were arrested, said local reports.

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