Two held for trafficking after boat with irregular migrants brought to shore

Two men were remanded in custody for six days by Famagusta district court on Saturday as suspected people traffickers after 17 irregular migrants were brought to shore at Cape Greco and later taken to Pournara reception centre for asylum seekers.

The two suspects, aged 37 and 26, were both aboard the boat that was spotted 17 nautical miles off Cape Greco in the Famagusta district at around 10 am on Friday. The coastguard sent a vessel to the area, finally locating the boat 11 nautical miles east of Cape Greco. On the boat were 19 men, including six minors. They were taken by the coastguard to Ayia Napa marina.

Testimony emerged against two of the people aboard the boat who are suspected of being people traffickers.

They were both arrested and appeared in court on Saturday which ordered them remanded in custody as police investigate a case of conspiracy to commit an offence, assisting a person from a third country to enter the Republic illegally, assisting a person from the third country with intent to profit and illegal entry.

The remaining passengers from the boat were transferred to Pournara.