**Three Arrested as Police Seize 6.5kg of Dried Poppy Bulbs in Cyprus**
In a significant anti-drug operation, police in Cyprus arrested three individuals on Thursday following the seizure of over 6.5 kilograms of dried poppy bulbs. The arrests occurred in the Famagusta and Paphos districts as part of an ongoing investigation by the drug squad, known as Ykan, which is focused on the importation of narcotic substances through courier services.
The operation began in Famagusta, where officers apprehended two men, aged 35 and 30, after they discovered packages containing dried poppy bulbs. The 35-year-old suspect was arrested after he collected a package from a courier company at around 10:20 AM. A search of the package revealed seven smaller packages containing a total of 4.45 kilograms of dried poppy bulbs. Following his arrest, police conducted a search of his residence and found an additional package weighing 1.45 kilograms of the same substance.
Simultaneously, a 30-year-old man was stopped by police after he also received a package from the same courier service. In his possession, authorities found 1.6 kilograms of dried poppy bulbs. A third package containing another 1.6 kilograms was located at the courier company’s premises, bringing the total seized from the Famagusta operation to 6.5 kilograms.
Both men are expected to appear before the Famagusta District Court on Friday for remand order proceedings. Notably, the 35-year-old suspect was found to be residing illegally in the Republic of Cyprus.
In a separate incident, investigators linked a package containing 500 grams of dried poppy bulbs that arrived at Larnaca airport to a 38-year-old man from Paphos. This suspect was apprehended while riding a motorcycle in Paphos, where he was found carrying 1 gram of powder believed to be derived from dried poppy bulbs. He is also scheduled to appear before the Paphos District Court on Friday.
The recent operations have led to the seizure of over 58 kilograms of dried poppy bulb products in recent days, with a total of 13 individuals arrested as part of the ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking in Cyprus. Authorities have stated that investigations are still underway, with further actions anticipated as they continue to target the illicit importation of narcotics.
The use of courier services for drug trafficking has become a growing concern for law enforcement agencies, prompting increased vigilance and coordinated efforts to disrupt these illegal activities. Police have urged the public to remain aware of the signs of drug trafficking and to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.
As the investigation continues, the police remain committed to combating drug-related crimes and ensuring the safety and well-being of the community.