Drug unit chief calls for phone surveillance law to tackle trafficking networks

Local CrimedrugspoliceTop News Drug unit chief calls for phone surveillance law to tackle trafficking networks Cyprus Surveillance Bill Collapses As Disy Mps Revolt Over Wiretapping Powers Relevant News Drug unit chief calls for phone surveillance law to tackle trafficking networks 26 June 2026 Couple arrested over aluminium frame thefts at holiday home and restaurant in Limassol 26 June 2026 RSM Cyprus: Confident decisions start with local expertise and worldwide reach 26 June 2026 Michalis Hadjivasilis 26 June 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The commander of Cyprus’s Anti-Drugs Unit (YKAN) has called for the urgent passage of phone surveillance legislation, saying Cyprus may be the only country in Europe without this power and that its absence was forcing investigators to arrest couriers rather than the leaders of drug trafficking networks. YKAN commander Christos Andreou told Phileleftheros that surveillance of telecommunications data belonging to individuals involved in organised crime could make a decisive contribution to the unit’s operations. Most drug cases begin with information reaching police, he said, and investigations can take months. With access to telecommunications data, he said, the time needed to gather that information could be reduced drastically. Andreou said the lack of surveillance powers meant that those ultimately responsible for trafficking networks frequently evaded arrest while lower-level couriers were caught instead. Despite this, he said, YKAN had succeeded in jailing a number of individuals considered to be the heads of trafficking networks. The call comes as YKAN raised the alarm over new types of drugs appearing in Cyprus this year. Around 57 kilograms of opium poppy pods have been seized countrywide, a substance YKAN said had not been encountered for many years, with cannabis and cannabis resin having been the primary drugs in circulation. Searches conducted across all cities yesterday uncovered a further approximately 35 kilograms of the same substance. The drugs are being sent to Cyprus via Austria or Germany, according to YKAN, which said it believed the repeated imports through courier companies were being organised by Indian nationals — a assessment that has led to the arrest of more than seven people countrywide. YKAN also flagged liquid cannabis as the most dangerous of the new substances appearing this year, describing it as difficult to detect and carrying serious consequences for users, who boil and drink the preparation. Cocaine seizures have more than doubled in the first half of this year compared with the same period last year, rising from 30 kilograms to 72 kilograms. YKAN attributed the increase to traffickers attempting to import larger quantities in fewer shipments, maximising profit while reducing the risk of detection. Andreou said the drug problem had spread everywhere, including schools, and that the volume of seizures was growing every year. YKAN data showed that nearly 1,000 drivers are caught annually behind the wheel after having used drugs. More than 350 young people are referred each year to rehabilitation programmes, while the unit also conducts prevention work through talks at schools and military camps. Seven arrests over opium poppy imports YKAN operations in recent days have targeted networks importing dried opium poppy pods into Cyprus. Five men aged 20, 22, 23, 27 and 28 were initially arrested. One of the five, aged 22, was already in custody in connection with a separate similar case. Two of the suspects, aged 27 and 28, were found to be in Cyprus illegally. The five were due to appear in court today for remand hearings. Yesterday, further operations in Paphos and Famagusta uncovered an additional five kilograms of the same substance and led to two more arrests. Read more: New legislation bypasses providers to allow real-time phone surveillance Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Couple arrested over aluminium frame thefts at holiday home and restaurant in Limassol RSM Cyprus: Confident decisions start with local expertise and worldwide reach Extreme heat weather warning issued for southern England On this day: United Nations Charter was officially signed in 1945 Cyprus Institute helps overturn decades of thinking on how clouds form over oceans Eyewitnesses speak out about Larnaca flight on which Callum Kerr died after being restrained Palestinian Embassy: advanced Israeli technology makes civilian deaths in Gaza deliberate Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.