Two men detained at Tymvou airport for smuggling 40 kilograms of garlic

On November 11, 2026, two men arriving from Turkey at the Ercan (Tymvou) airport in the occupied northern part of Cyprus were detained after customs officials discovered 40 kilograms of undeclared garlic in their luggage. The authorities confiscated the entire quantity of garlic as evidence for the investigation.

Following their arrest, the suspects appeared in a local court on November 12. The court imposed a customs fine of 92,000 Turkish Lira (approximately 1,642 euros) for the possession of undeclared goods. The individuals refused to pay the fine, prompting the investigating officer to request their detention. One of the suspects claimed during the proceedings that the garlic was intended for relatives living in the occupied areas for planting purposes.

Presiding judge Guzem Erciyes granted the request for detention, ordering the two men to be held in custody for a period not exceeding seven days. The investigation remains ongoing as the legal process proceeds through the local judicial system.