16 Pakistanis, Indians held in Cyprus

They were discovered on Friday afternoon aboard a Cyprus-flagged cargo ship docked at Limassol on the south coast, an hour before the ship was due to depart.

Police said they claimed to have paid up to 4,500 euros each for forged travel documents and to be taken to a European destination.

A Limassol district court remanded them in police custody for six days on charges of illegal immigration.

Police believe they have stumbled on a people-trafficking network and are looking for two suspects thought to be behind the case. One Greek Cypriot has already been arrested in connection with people trafficking.