**Customs Officers Seize Smuggled Tobacco Products in Dherynia and Larnaca**
On Friday, customs officers in Cyprus conducted significant operations that resulted in the seizure of over 25,000 cigarettes and a substantial quantity of tobacco products. The operations took place at the Dherynia crossing point and a residence in Larnaca.
At the Dherynia crossing, customs officials stopped a vehicle displaying Turkish Cypriot registration plates. Upon inspection, they discovered 127 cartons containing a total of 25,400 cigarettes. Notably, these cigarettes did not carry the mandatory health warnings in both Greek and Turkish, nor did they feature unique traceability codes. These omissions suggest that the necessary taxes had not been paid to the Republic of Cyprus for these products.
The driver of the vehicle was arrested during the incident. However, he was later released after agreeing to an out-of-court settlement, which involved the payment of €8,000.
In a separate operation in Larnaca, customs officers, in collaboration with local police, executed a search warrant at the home of a 69-year-old man. During this search, they uncovered a significant stash of tobacco products, including 113 cartons of cigarettes, 18 cartons of heated cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, and 4.45 kilograms of loose tobacco. Similar to the earlier seizure, these items also lacked the required health markings and traceability codes.
The 69-year-old man was arrested, and authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the tobacco products found in his possession.
These operations highlight ongoing efforts by the customs department to combat tobacco smuggling and ensure compliance with health regulations in Cyprus. The lack of proper labeling and tax payments on these products raises concerns regarding public health and safety, as well as potential revenue losses for the government.
The customs department has not provided additional details regarding the broader implications of these seizures or any potential connections between the two incidents. However, they have reiterated their commitment to enforcing laws related to tobacco sales and distribution within the Republic of Cyprus.
As investigations continue, authorities are expected to gather more information that may shed light on the smuggling operations and the individuals involved.