26-year-old Turkish Cypriot arrested for smuggling tobacco products in Pyla

On November 2, 2026, a 26-year-old Turkish Cypriot man was arrested in the Pyla area of Larnaca after authorities discovered large quantities of untaxed tobacco products in his vehicle. The operation was initiated by members of the OPE Larnaca (Special Duties of Pyla) and later processed by the Customs Department.

Upon examination at the Oroklini Police Station, authorities seized 150 cartons containing 200 cigarettes each, 68.4 kilograms of rolling tobacco, and 62 kilograms of hookah tobacco. The products lacked mandatory health warning labels in Greek and Turkish, as well as necessary security features and traceability codes, confirming they were untaxed. The suspect was brought before the Larnaca District Court on the morning of November 3, which issued a three-day detention order.

The case is currently under further investigation by the Customs Department in cooperation with the OPE. Once legal procedures are complete, the seized tobacco products are slated for destruction.