Larnaca man remanded for eight days following major drug seizure

A 32-year-old resident of the Larnaca district was arrested on Monday, November 2, 2026, following a coordinated operation by the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime (DAOE), the Anti-Drugs Unit (YKAN), and the Intelligence and Special Operations Sub-Directorate (YPEE). Authorities stopped the suspect’s vehicle in a rural area of Mazotos around 5:00 PM. During subsequent searches of his vehicle, his home, and two open fields where he had been spotted, police seized over one kilogram of cocaine, small quantities of cannabis and cannabis resin, a precision scale, 16 firecrackers, four mobile phones, and €21,100 in cash suspected to be proceeds from illegal trafficking.

The Larnaca District Court has remanded the suspect in custody for eight days as investigations continue. Police, who state the individual was not previously known to authorities, believe he is part of a larger criminal network. Officers are currently working to identify other members of the group and the origin of the seized narcotics. The suspect is reportedly refusing to cooperate with the ongoing investigation. This arrest occurs amid a broader trend in Cyprus, where police have seized over 1,000 kilograms of various narcotics this year, noting a shift toward synthetic drugs alongside traditional substances.