94 arrested for trafficking

Ninety four people have been arrested so far this year in connection with trafficking offences, head of the Police Aliens and Immigration Unit Petros Zenios said on Monday as efforts to combat illegal immigration to Cyprus progress well.

Speaking to the Cyprus Mail, Zenios said the ongoing operations are part of a wider police strategy to tackle trafficking and curb illegal immigration.

“Last year’s total number of arrests for trafficking amounted to 155. So far this year, 94 people were arrested, meaning we are consistent with last year’s numbers,” Zenios said.

“What is also important is that we reduced the number of illegal arrivals consistently compared to last year.”

He also reported significant success in achieving the goal of increasing deportations while reducing the flow of illegal immigrants into Cyprus.

Since the beginning of the year, 6,800 individuals residing illegally in the Republic have been repatriated. This compares to approximately 6,000 during the same period last year.

Zenios attributed these positive results to clear objectives focused on four main pillars: monitoring the Republic’s maritime borders and the Green Line, dismantling networks involved in human trafficking, identifying those residing and working illegally in Cyprus, and removing individuals who are not legally present in the country.