In a significant operation against human trafficking, Famagusta District Court has ordered the remand of two more Syrian men, aged 29 and 27, on charges of people smuggling. This follows the recent apprehension of six boats carrying nearly 500 migrants off the coast of Cape Greco, as reported by the police on Thursday.
The two individuals were detained on Wednesday and will be held for an eight-day period as investigations continue. With these latest arrests, the total number of individuals in custody for this incident has risen to six. The suspects were reportedly among the first group of migrants discovered on Monday, with others being apprehended from subsequent boats.
The fleet of six boats, which set sail from Lebanon, was intercepted with a total of 458 migrants on board. The migrants, consisting of 258 men, 44 women, 123 children, and 33 unaccompanied minors, were safely escorted to Ayia Napa marina. There, they received initial assistance and had their details registered by the authorities.
Police investigations have revealed that each passenger paid $3,000 for the perilous journey across the sea to an unidentified individual. The boats varied in size, carrying between 22 to 283 people each.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in tackling the complex issue of illegal migration and human smuggling. The Cyprus Mail continues to provide updates on this developing story and other news. Readers can follow further developments on Google News.
