British national arrested at Larnaca Airport for cigarette smuggling

On May 22, 2026, customs officers at Larnaca Airport intercepted a British passenger attempting to depart for the United Kingdom. Upon inspection of his luggage, officials discovered 85 cartons of 200 cigarettes each and an additional 8 packs of 20 cigarettes. The seized tobacco products lacked mandatory health warning labels in Greek and Turkish, as well as required security markings and traceability codes, indicating they were untaxed. The passenger was arrested at the scene, and all items were confiscated. The following morning, the individual appeared before the Larnaca District Court. The court issued a three-day detention order to facilitate ongoing investigations by the Larnaca Customs Department. While sources vary slightly on the exact total volume, reporting both over 90 cartons and a specific count of 85 cartons and 8 packs, the primary charge involves the illegal possession of untaxed goods.