Customs authorities seize large quantities of illicit tobacco products

On September 9, 2026, customs officers in Cyprus conducted enforcement operations at the Deryneia crossing point and in Larnaca, resulting in the seizure of 260 cartons of illicit cigarettes. At the Deryneia crossing, authorities intercepted a vehicle with Turkish Cypriot license plates driven by a Turkish Cypriot holding a British passport. Inside the vehicle, officers discovered three suitcases containing 127 cartons of cigarettes, each holding 200 units. These products lacked mandatory health warning labels in Greek and Turkish, as well as required security markers and traceability codes.

The driver involved in the Deryneia incident was initially arrested for customs offenses but was released after reaching an out-of-court settlement. The individual agreed to pay a total penalty of €8,000 to resolve the matter. The confiscated tobacco products have been seized and are scheduled for destruction according to official protocols.

In a separate operation on the same day, customs officials, in collaboration with the Larnaca police, executed a court-ordered search at the residence of a 69-year-old Greek Cypriot, following intelligence regarding the possession of illicit tobacco. These dual actions underscore ongoing efforts by the Department of Customs to enforce the Green Line regulations and combat smuggling across the island.