With the ongoing pouring of Syrian refugees into and out of Didim, the town’s Gendarme has been active in checking the paperwork and authenticity of boats in the area.

They have intensified their efforts to crackdown on human smuggling and are zeroing in on unnamed and unclaimed boats around the Didim coastline.

Gendarme check on boats in the new crackdown

They are acting in conjunction with Didim Coast Guard, Didim’s Security Directorate, Didim Council, the Gulluk Property Directorate, and the Port Authority.

They have already seized a few boats at Tasburun, near Mavisehir. Didim Governor Iskender Yonden commented: “Migrant smuggling is one of the biggest problems in Didim. We continue our work, such as the lifejacket issue, but also the seizure of suspect boats. Any abandoned boats will be claimed by the Didim coast, police, gendarmerie, coast guard and municipality.”

He added that there will also be more road checks in place this year.

One boat is taken for further checks

Nevertheless, the migrant smuggling continues – on Wednesday 35 Syrian and Afghan refugees were brought in by the Coast Guard to their base at Didim Marina at 8am.

Among them were a number of children.