Two arrested for smuggling third country migrants after boat sinks

Police on Saturday announced that two individuals, aged 45 and 46, have been arrested to facilitate police investigations regarding a suspected case of aiding third-country nationals to enter the Republic of Cyprus illegally.

This comes after the arrival of an additional 16 individuals on an inflatable boat, which took on water and eventually sank.

All occupants were safely transported to the mainland by the coast guard.

According to a police statement, “members of the coast guard and maritime police received 16 irregular migrants on Friday, June 23, whom they safely transported to the fishing shelter of Paralimni”.

“The inflatable boat carrying the 16 individuals was located approximately 11 nautical miles east of Cape Greco,” the statement added.

Moreover, police stated that “while escorting the irregular migrants, the engine of their boat ceased to function, and at the same time, it took on water”.

“All occupants of the boat were safely moved onto the coast guard vessel, while the boat itself eventually sank as it appeared to have undergone modifications, and its balloons were damaged and nearly deflated,” police explained.

Furthermore, all arrivals were safely transported to the shore and subsequently taken to the Pournara Centre in Kokkinotrimithia.

Through police investigations, “testimonies against two individuals, aged 45 and 46, who appear to have been the boat’s drivers, have emerged, leading to their arrest to facilitate investigations”.

“Today, the two detainees are expected to appear before the Famagusta District Court for the issuance of detention orders,” the statement concluded.