A 17-year-old was remanded for eight days on Tuesday to facilitate investigations into the arrival of a boat transporting 18 irregular migrants from Syria the previous night.

The boat was spotted 10 nautical miles off Cape Greco at around 7.30 on Monday evening.

Coast guard officers found 12 men, four women and two children on board the boat, all of whom were transported to Ayia Napa Marina around 11pm.

According to police, investigations determined that the boat sailed from Syria, and according to witnesses, the 17-year-old was the captain of the boat.

He was subsequently arrested and appeared before Famagusta district court on Tuesday.

He faces charges of illegally entering the Republic of Cyprus, aiding third country nationals with illegally entering government territory, and acting as such with the intent to make a profit.

The rest of the boat’s passengers were taken to Pournara migrant reception centre in Kokkinotrimithia.