By Zina Constantinou, Michalis Hadjivasilis
Police know who heads the drug network targeted in Operation ‘Plegma’, the man who puts up most of the money to import the drugs, but he has so far evaded arrest, Phileleftheros understands.
The operation led to 26 arrests and searches of 27 premises countrywide on Thursday, and cash and property worth more than 750,000 euros has been frozen.
It is believed that if the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime (DAOE) had the power to tap phones, it would have dismantled the entire network.
During Thursday’s searches of prison cells, two mobile phones were found in one suspect’s cell and will be forensically examined, Phileleftheros understands.
How the network operated
Investigations by DAOE found that the drugs were imported into Cyprus, stored at a warehouse in Strovolos and distributed through “associates” to smaller networks.
Some of those arrested were allegedly exposed by their conversations with the so-called ‘storekeeper’ of the Strovolos safe house, where 233 kilos of drugs were found in February, the court heard on Thursday. The storekeeper, who is now on remand, allegedly received instructions on receiving, buying and supplying drugs to others, and made payments.
Not all 26 people arrested are linked to the drug trafficking network. Some remand prisoners and four other people arrested appear to be under investigation over drug offences.
According to police information, one of those arrested held a leading role in the group, but most were allegedly associates. Those pulling the strings have so far evaded arrest, and efforts are being made to identify them, including examining electronic data from suspects’ phones and other devices under court warrants.
DAOE analysis found that people under investigation who had declared themselves unemployed, or had no steady job, had luxury cars or a level of wealth that could not be justified.
Christos Andreou, director of the newly established DAOE, told Phileleftheros the focus is now on identifying those at the top of the group. He said investigators did not stop after the large quantities of cannabis and cocaine were found last February, but followed the money trail behind the illegal profits, which led to the 26 arrests.
Assets frozen
Working with the Unit for Combating Money Laundering (MOKAS), police examined the bank accounts of those arrested and of others, and searched the Land Registry. About 350,000 euros has been frozen in bank accounts. Court orders were also obtained freezing a house, plots of land, ten cars, including a Porsche, and two motorcycles, with an estimated total value of about 400,000 euros.
Officers also seized 25,025 euros in cash, 37 mobile phones, a pistol, a shotgun, 13 cartridges of various calibres and 534 shotgun cartridges. They also found small quantities of cannabis, about 10 grams of cocaine, eight precision scales, and fireworks including 354 bangers, 456 flares and 192 sparklers.
The offences under investigation include 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, money laundering, illegal possession of explosives, and distribution of medicinal products without a licence.
Court appearances
Seven of those arrested appeared before Nicosia District Court on Thursday. Four people aged 30, 34, 37 and 41 were remanded for five days over illegal possession of drugs and related offences. In separate proceedings involving offences including illegal possession of explosives, a 33-year-old and a 35-year-old were remanded for five days and a 48-year-old for two days.
Five of those arrested, who are already serving sentences, were not brought before the court. Of the others, some were questioned and charged in writing, to be summoned to court later, and the rest were released pending further investigation.
February seizure
The investigation began with an operation by the Anti-Drugs Unit (YKAN) on 19 February 2026, when officers stopped a car carrying two people and found 11,480 bangers, while one occupant had cannabis and cocaine. Searches of a home and premises linked to the driver turned up 167 kilos of cannabis, 62 kilos of cocaine and 4.5 kilos of cannabis resin, along with firearms, explosive devices, cash and e-cigarettes that appeared to contain drugs.
The operation was carried out in the Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Famagusta districts and at the Central Prisons.
