Austria uncovers illegal immigration syndicate

Austria uncovered a major international illegal immigration syndicate in a joint operation with neighboring countries, Austrian media reported on Friday. Investigations have so far revealed at least 300 persons were illegally brought from Turkey to Europe by this group from August to November 2010, the Austrian Press Agency (APA) reported.Austrian police estimated a four-digit number of illegal immigrants had been assisted by the syndicate. The main smuggling route operated by this syndicate was from Turkey, crossing some Eastern European countries like Romania and Hungary, to Austria, Germany or Italy, investigations showed. The 16 key members of the group had been arrested in countries such as Austria and Turkey, while another 35 members were being investigated, the police said. Mehmet D., the major member of the syndicate, was engaged in illegal immigration for years and had been wanted or convicted by the police of Austria, Romania and France. The syndicate was well organized with a comprehensive and complete arrangement concerning illegal immigration, the police said.The case is still under investigation.