Cyprus customs officials seize untaxed tobacco at crossing points

Between August 23 and August 27, 2026, customs officials in Cyprus intercepted three separate cases of illegal transport of untaxed tobacco products at the Ledra Street and Agios Dometios crossing points. These operations were part of ongoing efforts to enforce the Green Line Regulation, which governs the transit of goods across the island's divided areas.

The initial incident occurred on August 23 at the Ledra Street crossing, where a French national was found carrying 2.25 kilograms of loose tobacco in her personal bags. The seized products lacked the mandatory health warnings in Greek and Turkish, as well as the required security features and traceability codes. The individual was initially detained but later released following an out-of-court settlement of €790. Additional seizures were reported at the Agios Dometios crossing point on August 25 involving a taxi with Turkish Cypriot registration plates. In total, the Customs Department imposed administrative fines amounting to €5,090 across the three incidents.

All confiscated goods are currently held by customs authorities and are slated for destruction in accordance with legal procedures. The enforcement actions underscore the strict monitoring of the Green Line to prevent the smuggling of illicit goods and ensure compliance with European and national customs regulations.