Thread: Over 300 migrants rescued in two boats, suspected trafficker arrested

Over 300 migrants rescued in two boats, suspected trafficker arrested (Update 3)

SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2017 STAFF REPORTERCYPRUS



Photo: CNA

A 36-year-old who was with one of two boatload of migrants who were brought ashore off the north-west coasts late Saturday and early Sunday, was arrested as a suspected trafficker, CNA reported on Sunday.

He was remanded for eight days by the Paphos court later in the day. The suspected trafficker’s arrest was made after testimony given by the migrants.

A second suspected trafficker aged 29, was also arrested from the second boat. He is due in court on Monday.

Three more of the migrants, two aged 17 and one aged 24 were also arrested on suspicion of having fake Syrian identification documents.

A total of 305 people were brought ashore, many of whom were women and children. One vessel was towed to Latchi. Because the second vessel was in danger of taking in waters, its occupants were rescued and brought to Kato Pyrgos Tyllirias.

The suspect is due in court later on Sunday.

According to the final count, a total of 134 immigrants, 92 men, 13 women and 29 underage children were in the first boat to Latchi.

From preliminary examinations the migrants are all Syrians and had left from Mersin in Turkey.

The second boat was carrying 171 migrants, including 110 men, 17 women and 44 minors.

They told police that they had each each $2,000 to the people smugglers. A woman with a 10-month-old baby was taken by ambulance to Paphos hospital for precautionary reasons.

The migrants are due to be taken later on Sunday to the Kokkinotrimithia centre in Nicosia.

Authorities had received the information that the two boats were headed for Cyprus at around 4pm on Saturday and that one was at risk of taking in water.

Rescue teams were mobilised. The vessels entered Cyprus territorial waters around 6pm.

The first boat was towed by the coast guard to Latchi. The joint rescue centre launched an operation with three vessels and a helicopter to take the migrants from the second boat

Over 300 migrants rescued in two boats, suspected trafficker arrested ...

Now load them right back up and tow them back to the first shore they cast off from.

Reverse migration and dump them right back on the country who let them through.


In our case...that would be Mexico and on down the line.