Turkish officials seized around 150 fake European passports, hidden cameras and assorted SIM cards hidden in pizza ovens from two suspected Islamic State operatives.
The two were caught by counter-terror units in Istanbul after they flew into Ataturk airport from Europe, reports Agence France-Presse.
“Airport police… found at least 150 fake passports among their personal belongings,” says a Turkish official speaking to AFP.
Once detained, it was determined that one of the suspects was of Syrian descent and the other from Turkey.
“Today’s arrests exemplify how effective the anti-ISIS measures have been,” says the Turkish official. “We look forward to working more closely with source countries to keep ISIS fighters away from Syria.”
The apprehension of the two suspects follows attacks in San Bernardino, Calif. and Paris by radical Muslims and ISIS operatives, respectively. One of the suicide bombers in the Paris attack that killed 134 had a fake Syrian passport on his remains, which has raised concerns that Syrian refugees fleeing the conflict in the Middle East could be infiltrated by radical Islamic terrorists.
Concern over ISIS infiltration has made its way into the ongoing presidential race with leading Republican candidate Donald Trump arguing for a temporary ban of Muslim immigration. Some of his fellow Republicans, such as Sen. Marco Rubio, have rebuked his suggestion. However, many Republican governors and politicians have called for a halt to immigration of Syrian refugees to the U.S. which has created a conflict between the GOP and White House.
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