Rise in drug-related convictions strains Cyprus prison system

In 2025, Cypriot courts convicted over 900 individuals for drug possession and trafficking offenses, exacerbating significant overcrowding at the Central Prisons. According to data from the Anti-Drugs Unit (YKAN), 877 cases were filed and 941 were adjudicated throughout the year. Among the convicted, 232 individuals received prison sentences ranging from several months to over a decade, with cumulative terms exceeding 700 years. Additionally, 137 people were given suspended sentences, 558 received fines, 21 were ordered to provide financial guarantees, and several others were placed under custody or supervision orders.

Efforts by YKAN to curb the importation of narcotics remain ongoing in 2026. As of August 2026, authorities have investigated 718 cases involving 773 individuals. Police highlight a shift in drug trends, notably the significant rise in cocaine seizures from 51 kilograms in 2025 to 83 kilograms in the current year, alongside a notable increase in cannabis resin and the emergence of opium-based poppy stems, with 60 kilograms seized recently. YKAN commander Christos Andreou emphasized that operations are focused on dismantling large-scale trafficking networks to mitigate the influx of these substances into the local market.