KILIS, Turkey

A suspected migrant smuggler was arrested in southeastern Turkey, according to a security source on Thursday.

The suspect was arrested in Kilis province as part of probe into migrant smuggling and human trafficking, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Security forces stopped a car in Yavuz Sultan Selim neighborhood and found five irregular migrants inside the vehicle.

Later, the irregular migrants were referred to the provincial migration management office.

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

* Writing by Seda Sevencan

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