Two people aged 33 and 27 were arrested on Tuesday to facilitate police investigations into a case involving the attempted illegal entry of a total of 458 irregular migrants into the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.
The migrants were discovered aboard six boats located off Cape Greco on Monday.
According to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), the two are facing several charges, including illegal entry into the territory of the Republic, assisting the illegal entry of third-country nationals into the Republic, aiding third-country nationals with the intention of profit, transporting individuals aboard unsafe and overloaded vessels, and conspiracy to commit a crime.
The 33-year-old was on the fourth boat, while the 27-year-old was on the fifth boat. Their arrests followed testimonies from fellow passengers who identified them to the police as the navigators of the two boats.
All six boats, detected by the radar of the Cyprus port and marine police, were escorted to Ayia Napa Marina. After recording the migrants details, they were transferred to the Pournara Reception Centre in Kokkinotrimithia.
The migrants informed the police that the six vessels departed from Lebanon, with each person onboard having to pay around $3,000 to the smugglers.
The two people arrested are expected to appear before the Famagusta district court on Wednesday to be remanded.
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