Limassol Criminal Court on Wednesday jailed a 28-year-old man for 10 years after he pleaded guilty to possessing nearly two kilos of cocaine and around eight kilos of cannabis for supply to others. Anti-drugs officers arrested him in a controlled delivery as he collected a parcel from Greece containing the drugs at a courier company in Limassol.
The court heard that the case came to light after a tip-off to the Anti-Drugs Unit (YKAN). The parcel had been taken to the company’s warehouse for delivery to its recipient.
When the man arrived, he presented himself as the recipient and was arrested in the act by YKAN officers at the scene as soon as he took the parcel.
Laboratory tests showed, among other things, that the cocaine was of particularly high purity.
The court said he had acted as a go-between, transporting the drugs so they could be put on the market, on the instructions of a third person and for financial gain. His cooperation with another person and his involvement in an organised drug-trafficking operation made the offences particularly serious, it said, and his personal circumstances and family problems could not excuse his actions.
In sentencing, the court weighed the large quantity and type of drugs and the high purity of the cocaine. As mitigating factors, it took into account his guilty plea, his personal and family circumstances and his efforts to overcome addiction. It also considered a previous conviction for possessing a Class B controlled drug and smoking cannabis, for which he was fined.
The prison sentences will run concurrently. The case against his co-defendant has been set for a hearing at a later date.
