Customs authorities seize illicit tobacco products across multiple checkpoints

Between September 21 and 23, 2026, Cyprus Customs Department officers intercepted several significant quantities of untaxed tobacco products. On September 21, at the Deryneia crossing point, officials found 7.4 kilograms of hookah tobacco in a vehicle driven by a Turkish Cypriot carrying an Israeli passenger. On the same day at Paphos Airport, two Israeli women were found with 5,800 cigarettes in their luggage. Both cases were resolved through out-of-court settlements, with the individuals paying fines ranging from €600 to €2,600.

Additional enforcement occurred on September 23 at the Agios Dometios crossing point, where officers discovered 47 cartons of cigarettes (9,400 units) and 1.5 kilograms of rolling tobacco in a vehicle with four British passengers. The driver, a Turkish Cypriot, and the passengers were released following an out-of-court settlement totaling €3,500. Another incident on September 21 at the Agios Dometios crossing involved a Greek Cypriot traveler who was fined €850 with a €150 vehicle release fee for smuggling 2.4 kilograms of hookah tobacco.

All seized tobacco products lacked the mandatory health warnings in Greek and Turkish, as well as required security features and traceability codes. The items have been confiscated for destruction, and the department continues its efforts to curb the cross-border smuggling of tobacco goods.