Two men were arrested in the north for allegedly planning to smuggle migrants to Cyprus via boat, the Internal Security Forces announced Sunday.

Here’s what we know:

    • The two men, one Lebanese and one Syrian, were arrested early on April 29. The Internal Security Forces said they confessed they were preparing to transport people to Cyprus by boat that same day had they not been arrested.

    • Twenty-three Syrians “fully prepared to emigrate by sea” were reportedly found at the house of one of the defendants.

    • Each migrant paid $3,000 USD. according to the ISF.

    • Security forces have increased their focus on maritime emigration in the north since the devastating boat sinking last week that has left six confirmed dead and more than 30 missing at sea. There are conflicting reports about the cause of the sinking, with some migrants saying the Army is responsible for the tragedy.