Customs seize untaxed tobacco at Ledra Street and Ayios Dhometios crossings

Between August 23 and 27, 2026, customs officers in Cyprus conducted three separate seizures of untaxed tobacco products at the Ledra Street and Ayios Dhometios crossing points. The operations, carried out under the Green Line Regulation, resulted in total out-of-court fines amounting to €5,090.

The first incident occurred on August 23 at the Ledra Street crossing, where a French woman was found carrying 2.25 kilograms of rolling tobacco that lacked required health warnings in Greek and Turkish, as well as necessary security and traceability markings. The individual was initially arrested but was released after reaching an out-of-court settlement of €790. A second case followed on August 25 at the Ayios Dhometios crossing, involving a taxi with Turkish Cypriot registration plates carrying a 39-year-old passenger.

The seized items are slated for destruction according to official procedures. These actions underscore ongoing efforts by the Department of Customs to enforce regulations on goods entering from the north. Further investigations into the additional cases are likely, while the authorities continue to perform routine checks at all crossing points to prevent the circulation of illicit goods.