British bases customs crack down on illicit tobacco smuggling

Since July 1, 2026, customs and immigration authorities at the British bases in Cyprus have significantly increased enforcement efforts at crossing points, leading to the seizure of 17,500 cigarettes, 21 kilograms of rolling tobacco, and 5,500 electronic cigarettes. These operations have involved approximately 50 customs officers conducting 24-hour inspections, as 115,000 vehicles have traversed the crossings during this period. Total fines issued amount to nearly €11,000.

Key seizures occurred at the Pergamos crossing. On July 4, officers intercepted two passengers traveling in separate taxis who were attempting to avoid detection; they were found carrying 13.1kg and 5.65kg of tobacco, resulting in combined fines of €6,300. A subsequent major seizure on August 4 involved 2,400 cigarettes, 500 grams of tobacco, and 600 electronic cigarettes concealed within the folding roof compartment of a convertible car, leading to a €1,680 fine for the driver.

Katerina Christofi, a senior official with the Eastern Sovereign Base Area (ESBA) customs, noted that authorities are remaining vigilant due to the high volume of holiday traffic. The ongoing enforcement is part of a broader strategy to deter the illicit movement of tobacco products across the base boundaries.