Court of Appeal increases prison sentence for cannabis possession

The Cyprus Court of Appeal has increased the prison sentence of a man, identified as A.E., from nine to 12 years for the possession of 12.9 kilograms of cannabis with intent to supply. The defendant was originally sentenced by the Limassol Criminal Court after being stopped by police on September 20, 2023, while transporting the drugs in a suitcase in his vehicle. During the initial trial, the defendant pleaded guilty to charges of possession and intent to supply under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law. The Attorney General appealed the original nine-year sentence, arguing it was manifestly inadequate. The Appeal Court judges upheld this position, ruling that the substantial quantity of the drug necessitated a harsher punishment. The court formally rejected the defendant's plea of financial hardship as a mitigating factor for his criminal conduct. The judges emphasized that the defendant should have sought legal income rather than engaging in illegal activity for quick profit. The court concluded that such offenses have a detrimental impact on society.