Cyprus officially launches specialized anti-organized crime unit

Cyprus is officially establishing the Organized Crime Suppression Division (DAOE), a new law enforcement body modeled after the Greek equivalent, which has been colloquially dubbed the "Cypriot FBI." Announced on October 7, 2026, by the Chief of Police, the unit will become fully operational on October 12, 2026. The department will be led by Christos Andreou, who currently serves as the commander of the Drug Law Enforcement Unit (YKAN). This agency will consolidate various departments, including YKAN and the Directorate of Analysis, to improve operational efficiency against sophisticated criminal networks.

Even before its official launch, the division has already conducted four significant operations since May 2026. These interventions included the arrest of three individuals in Limassol—including a police officer—and the seizure of €420,000, as well as the dismantling of a "pink cocaine" trafficking ring and the prevention of a planned murder targeting Danish twins. A core strategy of the DAOE is to systematically strip criminal groups of their financial assets to prevent their regrouping. This structural reform reflects international security trends highlighted by Europol, aiming to address the increased flexibility and multi-sector activity of modern criminal organizations in Cyprus.