A 57-year-old man was remanded by the Larnaca district court for six days in connection with an investigation into assisting the entry of third country nationals into the Republic, following his arrest yesterday.

According to the police statement issued on Friday, the suspect was stopped at around 8pm by officers from the Green Line surveillance unit in the Athienou.

Two passengers, aged 17 and 18, were also in the vehicle.

Police said the car had earlier been observed driving in the same area, with the driver stopping briefly before continuing towards the main road.

Officers then intercepted the vehicle for inspection.

All three individuals were taken to Athienou police station, where checks established that the two passengers were residing in the Republic illegally.

The two were subsequently transferred to a reception centre in Nicosia.

The 57-year-old was later brought before the court, which issued a six-day detention order to facilitate ongoing inquiries.

The case remains under investigation.