Customs authorities have intensified their investigation into what officials describe as the largest cigarette smuggling operation uncovered in recent years, involving the illegal transport of tobacco products from occupied northern Cyprus to Israel by sea.
Four Israeli nationals, aged 37 to 39, remain in custody following a major joint operation by police and customs officials that led to the seizure of more than 10,500 cartons of cigarettes with an estimated retail value exceeding €500,000.
A 34-year-old woman, who was initially arrested in a hotel room as part of the operation, has been released after providing a statement to investigators.
The operation, carried out on Sunday, discovered the contraband cigarettes stored in a warehouse and aboard a vessel at Larnaca fishing harbour. Authorities also seized approximately €50,000 in cash, luxury watches, a van, and another vehicle from the suspects.
Customs officials have expanded their investigation to examine other vessels suspected of involvement in transporting cigarettes to Israel. Sources told philenews that authorities are also searching for an additional storage facility believed to contain more tobacco products smuggled from the occupied north.
Investigators have begun interviewing individuals who had dealings with the suspects to gather more information about the operation’s scope and duration in Cyprus.
Cypriot authorities have contacted Israeli Customs officials requesting information about the detained suspects as part of the ongoing investigation.
