Four people arrested last week were referred for trial on Tuesday over the seizure of 233.5 kilograms of drugs in Strovolos in February, opening the way to a possible joint trial of all nine defendants in the case.
The four were arrested on 5 November in Operation ‘Plegma’, a countrywide operation by the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime (DAOE). They are alleged to be linked to the trafficking of large quantities of drugs through the so-called ‘storekeeper’, who is in custody at the Central Prisons awaiting trial.
Joint charge sheet expected
The new filing opens the way for the four to join the five defendants already in custody, who were arrested during the investigation that began after the drugs were found in February.
Although the five have already pleaded not guilty to all 30 charges against them, the existing prosecutions are expected, barring unforeseen developments, to be suspended and a new joint charge sheet filed covering all nine, so that the two linked cases are not tried separately.
The four were referred to the Nicosia Criminal Court, where they are due to appear for the first time on 28 January 2027. As their five-day remand expired, the prosecution applied for them to be held in custody until trial. The court reserved its decision until Wednesday.
Phone data
The four were arrested after months of analysis of communications data found on the phones of the five original defendants.
According to an investigator from the Anti-Drugs Unit (YKAN), the phone of the first defendant in the original case played a decisive role in the investigation. He is alleged to have been the ‘storekeeper’ and manager of the drugs, which were kept in two storerooms at his parents’ home in Strovolos.
The investigator said he allegedly received instructions from the owners of the drugs on distributing them and handling the money from sales. He said examination of the communications data revealed contact with the four about storing, transporting and delivering drugs and collecting money.
The offences under investigation against the four, as stated at their remand hearing, included illegal supply and possession of Class A and B drugs, possession with intent to supply, conspiracy to commit a felony, participation in a criminal organisation and money laundering.
