Cocaine trial defense claims key witness framed drug lord in conspiracy plot

Local CrimedrugsTop Newstrial Cocaine trial defense claims key witness framed drug lord in conspiracy plot Image 346 Relevant News Cocaine trial defense claims key witness framed drug lord in conspiracy plot 18 July 2026 From banana crates to Wall Street: Inside the €350m crypto and SPAC money laundering ring 18 July 2026 Four Cypriot football stadiums fail safety inspections as authorities race against time for league kickoff 18 July 2026 Fanis Makrides 18 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Defense lawyer Christos Poutziouris launched a fierce cross-examination against state witness Yiannis Andreou, also known as Maronas, during the trial of George Christodoulou-Zavrantonas regarding a 15-kilogram cocaine trafficking case. Pououtziouris repeatedly asserted that Andreou acted out of dark motives when providing testimony against his client. The defense argued that Andreou was an active drug dealer and gambler who devised a plan to escape conviction by framing Zavrantonas for the possession and intended supply of the seized drugs. Andreou deflected the accusations, maintaining that he worked directly for Zavrantonas. When questioned about third parties, Andreou repeatedly urged the defense to subpoena and question those individuals directly. Throughout the hearing, Andreou occasionally deflected tension by using humor. The defense introduced new elements into the retrial that had not been raised in previous court proceedings. Pououtziouris questioned Andreou about a Greek national named Nikolas Giannakakis. Andreou described Giannakakis as an awning installation businessman whom he hired to complete work at his shop using a crew brought over from Greece. Pououtziouris then submitted court documents showing that Cyprus Police had issued an arrest warrant for Giannakakis over drug offenses. The defense pointed to telephone contacts between the two men, but Andreou maintained he only knew Giannakakis as an awning installer and was completely unaware of any criminal activities. The court session opened with the projection of CCTV footage from Andreou’s Lakatamia residence, recorded during the anti-drug unit (YKAN) raid that uncovered the cocaine. Pououtziouris argued that video evidence showing Andreou’s associate, Aristos, carrying an envelope and a bag proved that the transportation of the drugs in a military bag was part of a trafficking ring masterminded by Andreou himself. The defense claimed the envelope contained Andreou’s own money, which was used to pay for the drug shipment. The defense attorney also questioned the state witness extensively about vulnerabilities in the witness protection program. Pououtziouris suggested that individuals inside the program conspired and used mobile phones to influence other parties. Andreou admitted to using a mobile phone but firmly denied any conspiratorial actions. The cross-examination also touched upon former Central Prisons Director Anna Aristotelous, Fenek, police officer Michalis Katsounotos, Andros Rodotheou, and defense lawyers Viktoras Akamas and Sotiris Argyrou, who previously represented Andreou. The trial is scheduled to resume on Tuesday, 21 July at 9:00. The case stems from a January 2019 YKAN raid in Lakatamia. In July 2019, Yiannis Andreou and Aristos Kyprianou were sentenced to 16 and 8 years in prison, respectively. Andreou later provided a new statement naming Zavrantonas as the mastermind, leading to Zavrantonas receiving a 22-year prison sentence on 12 December 2022. The Court of Appeal overturned that conviction on 11 May 2026 due to an error in the composition of the original trial court and ordered a full retrial. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News From banana crates to Wall Street: Inside the €350m crypto and SPAC money laundering ring Four Cypriot football stadiums fail safety inspections as authorities race against time for league kickoff Heatwave hits inland regions as temperatures soar to 40°C, triggering isolated mountain showers US and Cypriot officials meet as Visa Waiver Programme designation still under review “Why don’t they release this man?” asks lawyer in Chlorakas boy’s death case Police suspend constable after Nicosia hospital roundabout drink-driving crash As life expectancy rises, talks start on a UN treaty to protect older people Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.