Large-scale liquid cocaine seizure at Larnaca airport and national drug statistics report
Cypriot authorities arrested a 65-year-old American national at Larnaca airport on Tuesday after discovering four kilograms of liquid cocaine concealed in cosmetic containers. The suspect arrived from Canada via Vienna and is currently remanded for eight days, though he is refusing to cooperate with investigators. The Drug Law Enforcement Unit (YKAN) expressed concern regarding the potential existence of a specialized laboratory in Cyprus, as liquid cocaine requires complex chemical processing to return to a solid state. Meanwhile, YKAN presented its first-half 2026 report, highlighting a 130% increase in cocaine seizures compared to the previous year, with total seizures reaching 71.4 kilograms. The report also identified significant increases in seizures of methamphetamine (over 2.3 kg) and cannabis resin (over 47.5 kg), alongside the detection of new, highly dangerous substances. Across the first six months of 2026, police investigated 539 drug-related cases and arrested ten individuals in Nicosia, Limassol, and Famagusta. Authorities are currently investigating whether the intercepted liquid shipment was destined for the domestic market or intended for export.