Customs authorities report seizures and settlements in two separate tobacco-related cases

On July 13, 2026, authorities in Kato Paphos, including the Customs Department and YKAN, seized 377 packs of unlicensed nicotine pouches from a kiosk. The owner, who also lacked a permit to sell legal tobacco products, was arrested and later paid a €3,100 out-of-court settlement. In a separate operation on July 16, 2026, customs officers in Limassol raided a restaurant offering hookah services and confiscated 7 kilograms of untaxed tobacco. The restaurant owner, who lacked valid licenses for tobacco and alcohol sales, was arrested and subsequently released after paying a €3,200 fine. In both instances, the confiscated goods were forfeited for destruction according to legal procedures. These enforcement actions were carried out as part of routine inspections and coordinated operations across the respective regions. The suspects in both cases accepted their respective fines, leading to their release without further criminal prosecution.