Police in Famagusta on Monday announced the arrest of eight more people who had been living illegally in Cyprus following raids carried out over the weekend.

Raids were conducted on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night on a total of 21 different properties around the Famagusta district.

Famagusta police’s deputy press officer Konstantina Paraskeva said the raids had been carried out “in the context of more effective prevention and the fight against serious and organised crime”.

They said that their raids will “increase and strengthen people’s sense of security, trust and protection”.

She said that detention and deportation orders against the eight people arrested will be secured, while it was also determined that all eight people arrested had been employed while in Cyprus.

As such, cases are expected to be filed against their employers, as it is an offence to employ an illegal immigrant.

The raids come after the police had made a total of three arrests during raids on 58 properties and 37 vehicles last weekend.

Famagusta police spokesman Steve Theodoulou said the raids had been carried out with the aim of “preventing and fighting serious and organised crime”.