Illegal immigrants seized

EIGHTEEN illegal immigrants, believed to be Syrian, were picked up by Cypriot and British bases police in the early hours of yesterday near Xylotymbou and Achna.

Three of the immigrants were nabbed by Cypriot police and the remainder by bases police from Dhekelia. Police believe there are still another five that managed to slip the net.

Dhekelia police spokesman Lefteris Eleftheriou said the immigrants were arrested at around 4.30am during a joint operation with Cypriot police.

The immigrants said they had come from Syria on the ferry that operates to the north twice a week. They each paid $2,000 to be taken to Cyprus.

Cyprus has an agreement with Syria to send illegal immigrants straight back to the country of origin.
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