Authorities seize large quantities of contraband tobacco in separate operations

Cypriot authorities conducted two separate anti-contraband operations in Larnaca and Paralimni on November 6 and 7, 2026, respectively. In the first incident, members of the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime (DAOE) intercepted a vehicle in the Larnaca district on November 6, resulting in the arrest of a 30-year-old Turkish Cypriot man. Officers discovered 200 cartons of cigarettes and 54 kilograms of rolling tobacco that lacked proper labeling and traceability codes. The Larnaca District Court has subsequently ordered the suspect to be detained for two days while the Customs Department continues its investigation.

In a second, unrelated operation on November 7, police from the Famagusta Crime Prevention Unit raided a property in Paralimni belonging to a 32-year-old man. The search uncovered 135 packs of cigarettes, 14 packs of tobacco, and 7 packs of heated tobacco products that were untaxed. These items were confiscated and handed over to customs officials. Unlike the Larnaca suspect who remains in custody, the 32-year-old in Paralimni was issued an administrative fine of 1,500 euros, effectively concluding the police handling of that specific case.