**Further 260 Kilos of Ketamine Found in Limassol Warehouse**
Limassol, Cyprus - In a significant development in an ongoing drug investigation, police have uncovered an additional 260 kilograms of ketamine in a warehouse in Limassol. This discovery, made on Monday, follows the seizure of 126 kilograms of the same substance just a week prior, marking a substantial blow to drug trafficking operations in the region.
The latest find was made during ongoing forensic tests on evidence collected from previous operations. This comes on the heels of a police raid conducted two days earlier, which resulted in the arrest of four individuals, two couples identified as being from Israel and Palestine.
During the initial operation, police executed searches at two different properties in Limassol. At one location, belonging to a 53-year-old man, officers seized a variety of illegal substances, including 34 grams of cocaine, 246 grams of ketamine, 15 grams of methadone, and 12 grams of MDMA. Additionally, they confiscated €4,150 in cash, 42 packets of untaxed cigarettes, and several mobile phones.
At the second property, owned by a 50-year-old man, law enforcement officials discovered the earlier mentioned 126 kilograms of ketamine, along with a precision scale and more mobile phones. These findings have led authorities to believe that the suspects are part of an organized network involved in smuggling drugs into Cyprus from Israel. The drugs are reportedly concealed within paint cans transported on luxury yachts docked at marinas in Limassol and Larnaca.
According to police, the drugs were stored at the two properties before being distributed, with a specific focus on selling to Israeli residents in Cyprus rather than the local Cypriot population. This targeted approach suggests a well-structured operation aimed at evading local law enforcement.
The four suspects were presented before the Limassol district court on Sunday, where they were remanded for eight days to facilitate the ongoing investigation. Authorities are continuing to probe the extent of the drug trafficking network and its operations.
This recent series of drug seizures highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in Cyprus regarding drug smuggling and distribution. The police have emphasized their commitment to dismantling such networks and ensuring the safety of the community.
As the investigation unfolds, further details are expected to emerge regarding the suspects and their connections to broader drug trafficking operations in the region. The police are urging anyone with information related to the case to come forward as they work to address the growing issue of drug-related crime in Cyprus.