Customs officials have confiscated hundreds of illegal stimulant pills and pesticides at the Astromeritis-Zodia checkpoint, after stopping a Greek Cypriot driver attempting to transport the substances across the UN-controlled buffer zone.
The seizure which took place on February 4, included 274 stimulant pills, 21 gels, and three packages of pesticides weighing 300 grammes, all of which are prohibited under Green Line Regulations governing movement between the divided island’s territories.
The driver surrendered the substances for destruction and temporarily forfeited his vehicle. The case was settled through an out-of-court agreement, with the driver paying a €1,300 fine plus an additional €200 fee for the vehicle’s return.
The Customs Department has issued a warning to the public against purchasing pharmaceutical products or pesticides from northern Cyprus, citing both Green Line Regulation violations and health risks from potentially substandard medications requiring prescriptions.
Officials also highlighted environmental concerns regarding agricultural products banned within the European Union.
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