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Two Spanish passengers held at Paphos airport over undeclared tobacco

In-Cyprus · 2026-06-14

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: Two Spanish passengers were arrested at Paphos airport for attempting to board a flight to Manchester with large quantities of undeclared rolling tobacco, totaling over 48 kg combined. A separate incident at the Ayios Dhometios crossing involved a couple found with 200 packets of undeclared cigarettes. • Why it matters: The seizures highlight ongoing issues with customs enforcement in Cyprus regarding the smuggling of tobacco products, which evade health regulations and taxes. • What to watch next: Authorities may increase inspections at airports and border crossings, and further legal proceedings against the arrested individuals could set precedents for future cases involving undeclared goods.

Local Paphos AirportSpainuk Two Spanish passengers held at Paphos airport over undeclared tobacco Ryo Tobacco 2 Relevant News Two Spanish passengers held at Paphos airport over undeclared tobacco 14 June 2026 Motorcyclist killed in Skarinou motorway crash after trying to avoid dog 14 June 2026 US, Iran inch closer to deal, Trump says Sunday but timing remains unclear 14 June 2026 Newsroom 14 June 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber Customs officers seized large quantities of undeclared tobacco and cigarettes in two separate cases at Paphos airport and the Ayios Dhometios crossing point on June 13. In the first case, officers at Paphos airport stopped two Spanish passengers before their departure to Manchester, United Kingdom, after assessing information. Their luggage was found to contain large quantities of rolling tobacco. The packages did not carry health warnings in Greek and Turkish, nor the required security feature and unique traceability code, indications that they were duty unpaid. In the luggage of the first passenger, officers found 469 packages of rolling tobacco, each weighing 50 grammes, with a total weight of 23.45kg. The passenger was arrested for offences detected in the act, while the luggage and its contents were seized. He was later released after his proposal for an out-of-court settlement was accepted, with payment of €8,000. In the luggage of the second passenger, officers found 491 packages of rolling tobacco, each weighing 50 grammes, with a total weight of 24.55kg. The second passenger was also arrested for offences detected in the act, while the luggage and its contents were seized. He was taken to Paphos District Court on Saturday morning for a remand order to facilitate investigations. In a separate case on the same day, Customs officers at the Ayios Dhometios crossing point noticed a couple with a baby stroller and an infant attempting to cross on foot into the government-controlled areas during routine vehicle checks. During a search of the bags and stroller, officers found they were filled with cigarette packets. The packets did not carry health warnings in Greek and Turkish, nor the required security feature and unique traceability code, indications that they were duty unpaid. A total of 200 packets of 20 cigarettes each were found, corresponding to 20 dismantled cartons. The Turkish Cypriot carrier, who held a British passport, was arrested for offences detected in the act, while the luggage and its contents were seized. He was later released after his proposal for an out-of-court settlement was accepted, with payment of €1,200. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Motorcyclist killed in Skarinou motorway crash after trying to avoid dog US, Iran inch closer to deal, Trump says Sunday but timing remains unclear Digital payments surge in Cyprus as fintech reshapes banking Nicosia-Limassol motorway reopens after crash Cyprus weather warning as storms and hail forecast Qatari negotiators flew to Tehran in effort to finalize deal to end war with US, source says Final CY-Alert test message to be sent to mobile phones across Cyprus on Monday Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.

Source: In-Cyprus
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