Seven People Detained in Northern Cyprus for Attempting to Illegally Cross into the Republic of Cyprus

Police in Northern Cyprus have detained seven individuals who attempted to cross into the Republic of Cyprus illegally. The group had paid two drivers in euros and U.S. dollars to facilitate their passage.

According to a statement from the police press office, the incident occurred on January 29, 2025, at around 8:30 PM in Serhatköy. The illegal border crossing attempt was discovered during an investigation into suspicious passenger movements in two vehicles stopped by Güzelyurt police road patrols.

The passengers, aged 25 to 42, were traveling in two separate cars, intending to reach the border. The drivers had agreed to smuggle them into the Greek Cypriot-administered South Cyprus (GCASC) in exchange for money.

The passengers collectively paid the drivers €1,300 and $300 for the journey, but authorities intercepted the attempt before they could cross the border.