Thousands of illegal immigrants have been stranded on Turkish shores for more than three months after the Greek coast guard recently smashed an international human smuggling racket, authorities said yesterday.

The arrest of a gang that smuggled illegal immigrants, mainly to the Evia region in central Greece, has resulted in fewer entry points into the country.

This has forced human traffickers to send people into Greece in lots of 30 on whatever form of transport is available, completely disregarding whether they drown or reach Greek shores, a source added.

Increased navy patrols on Greek-Turkish sea border points preferred by people smugglers is also seen as helping create an obstacle to the smuggling operations.

Merchant Marine Ministry data show that 4,532 illegal immigrants have been arrested since the start of the year after entering the country from Turkey, while 97 suspected human traffickers were also arrested.