Police in northeastern Greece said yesterday that they made a significant breakthrough in tackling human trafficking in the area, as they had arrested eight people smugglers who were attempting to bring 86 illegal immigrants into the country.

After pursuing a truck late on Thursday night, police in Evros caught up with the vehicle and found 58 migrants hidden in the back. The driver escaped in a car with two other men that had been waiting for him. Officers said that all three were detained a little later. No details were given about the immigrants or the traffickers.

Meanwhile, border guards stopped five cars on the Egnatia Highway in northeastern Greece and arrested five people who were allegedly trying to smuggle another 28 migrants into Greece.

Officers said that the migrants had each paid 1,000 euros to be taken to Athens from Turkey. Police are looking for another trafficker who was to meet the group in Athens.