Police arrested 26 people on Thursday and froze property, vehicles and money worth about 500,000 euros in an operation targeting drug trafficking and money laundering networks. The arrests follow a months-long investigation that began in February with the seizure of 167 kilos of cannabis and 62 kilos of cocaine.
The Directorate for Combating Organised Crime (DAOE) carried out Operation ‘Plegma’ in the Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Famagusta districts and at the Central Prisons, executing court arrest warrants for all 26. Officers conducted 27 searches of homes, premises, vehicles and prison cells.
Searches
Officers seized 25,025 euros in cash and 37 mobile phones, along with a pistol, a shotgun, 13 cartridges of various calibres and 534 shotgun cartridges.
The drugs found were a small quantity of cannabis, two grinders containing small amounts of cannabis, two half-smoked cannabis cigarettes and about 10 grams of cocaine. Officers also found eight precision scales, as well as 354 bangers, 456 flares, 22 fireworks, 192 sparklers and two smoke bombs.
Assets frozen
Working with the Unit for Combating Money Laundering (MOKAS), police obtained court orders freezing a house, plots of land, ten cars and two motorcycles, with an estimated total value of about 400,000 euros. A further 100,000 euros has been frozen so far.
February seizure
The investigation began after large quantities of drugs were found in Nicosia district, police said. On 19 February, the Anti-Drugs Unit (YKAN) stopped a vehicle carrying two people and found 11,480 bangers, while one of the occupants was carrying cannabis and cocaine. Searches of a house and premises linked to the driver then turned up the cannabis and cocaine, along with 4.5 kilos of cannabis resin, firearms, explosive devices, money and e-cigarettes that appeared to contain drugs.
Five people are already in custody awaiting trial in that case. Investigators then set out to identify others involved, the links between them and the scale of the activity.
The offences under investigation include illegal supply and possession of Class A and Class B controlled drugs, possession with intent to supply, participation in a criminal organisation, conspiracy to commit a felony, involvement in committing crimes and money laundering. Police are also examining illegal possession of explosives and the circulation of medicinal products without the required licence.
Beyond arrests and drug seizures, police said, the investigation aims to identify the support mechanisms and financial resources of the criminal networks involved.
