Police arrest 32-year-old in Larnaca for drug trafficking

On the afternoon of November 2, 2026, police authorities in Cyprus arrested a 32-year-old man in the Larnaca district during a coordinated operation involving the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime, the Anti-Drugs Unit (YKAN), and YPEE. Officers intercepted the suspect in a rural area, initially discovering 100 grams of cocaine and 16 firecrackers in his vehicle.

Subsequent searches led to the discovery of a larger supply of narcotics. Police found 11 bags of cocaine weighing 826 grams hidden in a plastic container in an open field, along with another 100 grams found in a separate container in a location where the suspect had been previously observed. A raid on the suspect's residence uncovered an additional eight grams of cocaine, small quantities of cannabis and cannabis resin, a precision scale, a grinder, four mobile phones, and 21,100 euros in cash suspected to be proceeds from illegal drug activity.

This arrest occurs amidst a broader trend in Cyprus marked by an increase in synthetic drug prevalence and shifting consumption patterns. Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis recently emphasized the ongoing struggle against narcotics, with over 1,200 individuals identified annually for possession or trafficking. The suspect remains in custody while investigations into his involvement in systematic drug trafficking continue.