Greek coastguards detained 38 illegal immigrants, among them Afghans and Iraqis, near the eastern Aegean island of Samos, the Athens News Agency (ANA) said Monday. Citing the Greek Ministry of Merchant Marine, it said the immigrants were arrested along with a Turkish smuggler near the island of Samos, according to dpa. The immigrants were taken to the island's detention centre. The Turkish smuggler was scheduled to appear before a public prosecutor on Tuesday. Tens of thousands of illegal immigrants attempt each year to sneak into European Union member Greece, mainly from neighbouring Turkey, the Middle east and Africa. -- SPA