Greece detains hundreds of illegals
Greece detains hundreds of illegals6 May 2008 | 12:34 | Source: DPA ATHENS -- Greek officials detained 28 illegal immigrants Monday, raising the number to more than 1,000 caught trying to enter via the Aegean Sea in the past few weeks.
The Merchant Marine Ministry said the immigrants, including nine children, were discovered trying to sneak into the country overnight near the island of Evia.
Officials arrested three people-smugglers in a U.S.-flagged ship.
Since mid-April, officials have detained a total of 1,012 illegal immigrants, including 51 children, and arrested 43 human smugglers.
Tens of thousands of illegal immigrants attempt to enter Greece every year, mainly from neighboring Turkey, the Middle East and Africa.
__________________
|