Customs officials have seized large quantities of untaxed tobacco products in a series of raids, including one at a storage facility within a nursery school, authorities said Thursday.
In the first operation on January 27, customs officers discovered untaxed tobacco products in a storage facility at a nursery school in Engomi. The search yielded six cartons of cigarettes, 58 boxes of heated tobacco products, and nearly 6 kg of rolling tobacco and water pipe tobacco.
The owner was arrested and later released after paying a €5,000 fine through an out-of-court settlement.
In a separate operation on February 3, officials conducted a raid in Strovolos, discovering 340 cartons of cigarettes and additional tobacco products in an apartment building’s storage area. The 49-year-old tenant was arrested, with further searches of his vehicle and residence revealing additional contraband.
The suspect was released after agreeing to pay €39,000 in fines and an additional €1,000 for the return of his seized vehicle.
On the same day, officers searched the apartment of the 54-year-old storage facility owner, seizing more untaxed tobacco products. He was released after paying a €4,000 fine.
In the latest operation on February 4, customs officials seized 700 cartons of cigarettes and other tobacco products from a 68-year-old’s vehicle in a village south of Nicosia. The suspect, previously known to customs authorities, was arrested and later released following an out-of-court settlement.
None of the seized products bore mandatory health warnings in Greek and Turkish or required security features and traceability codes, indicating they were untaxed, officials said.
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