RAWALPINDI, Feb 15: The Federal Investigation Agency claimed on Sunday to have arrested a leader of a human trafficking gang in Guranwala. The man, wanted in 15 cases, was produced in a Rawalpindi court which granted a four-day remand to the agency.

According to FIA officials, the gang had smuggled 1,500 people. Half of the illegal immigrants were in transit in Iran and others were stuck in Turkey and were waiting to slip into Greece.

Afzal Niazi of FIA’s anti-human smuggling wing said the gang was part of an international network which included traffickers in Iran and Turkey. It was led by Qayum Jalli of Azad Kashmir (AJK).

He is said to have charged Rs600,000 and Rs700,000 a person for smuggling 40 Pakistanis to Greece via Iran and Turkey. He said the FIA had been hunting for Qayum for three years after he was declared a proclaimed offender in 15 cases.

On Saturday, a group of 20 illegal immigrants, deported by Turkey arrived at Islamabad airport, the authorities said. They have been detained by the agency.