Police in Kyrenia arrested two would-be hitmen on Wednesday night, with the pair having allegedly travelled to the north to kill a “businessman”.

Police officer Cemal Sanlier explained in court on Thursday that the pair had been pulled over for a routine traffic stop at around 8.30pm on Wednesday while driving a hire car through Kyrenia.

He said that “reasonable suspicion” was then raised regarding the pair’s intentions, and a search of the vehicle was ordered.

The search turned up a 9mm Glock pistol and 12 bullets, which had been left in the car’s glovebox.

The pair were both arrested, and further investigations determined that one had arrived in Cyprus on August 8, and the other had arrived on Wednesday.

Additionally, a search of one of the pair’s mobile phones found a text message he had sent which read, “uncle, send us 20,000TL, we will buy a mask and other things, we have to make preparations, so we are not recognised.” 20,000TL is worth €542.

Other messages sent and received included a picture of a businessman based in the north, the registration plate of the “businessman’s” car, and other messages related to a planned assassination.

A message on the other man’s phone read, “we are following him, and when we see him, we will get him, don’t you worry.”

The identity of the “businessman” who the pair intended to kill has not yet been made public.

Sanlier said a “large-scale” police investigation is underway, and that they intend to examine CCTV footage, more text messages and phone calls, and other evidence. As a result, he requested that the pair be remanded in custody for a day.

Judge Hazal Hacimulla acquiesced, and the pair were remanded until Friday, when they appeared in court again.

Friday’s proceedings were brief, with a police representative telling the court that the suspects’ mobile phones are now being “analysed in detail” while the gun has been sent for testing.

Additionally, the police representative said the person behind the plot has now been identified and is wanted by police.

The pair were remanded for a further five days.