Recent drug seizures and court rulings at Larnaca airport

Authorities in Cyprus have recently carried out two major drug seizures at Larnaca International Airport involving young suspects. In the first case, a 27-year-old traveler was arrested on November 12, 2026, upon arrival from a third country after customs and the Drug Law Enforcement Unit (YKAN) discovered approximately 22.5 kilograms of cannabis in his luggage, divided into 42 packages. The Larnaca District Court subsequently issued an eight-day detention order against him.

In a second incident on November 13, 2026, a 20-year-old man arriving from abroad was apprehended at the same airport. Officials found 18.924 kilograms of cocaine concealed within 16 nylon packages in his belongings. The Larnaca District Court has also granted an eight-day detention order for this suspect as investigations by the YKAN continue. Separately, in a non-airport-related sentencing, the Paphos District Court jailed a 38-year-old man for two years on November 13 for the illegal importation of 500 grams of poppy pods discovered in a postal package earlier in June 2026.

These operations highlight intensified efforts by local law enforcement, including the Department for Combating Organized Crime (DAOE) and YKAN, to intercept narcotics smuggled into the country.