Cyprus authorities have dismantled what officials describe as the largest tobacco smuggling operation in recent years, arresting five Israeli nationals and seizing more than 10,503 boxes of cigarettes worth over €500,000.
The suspects, four men aged 31 to 39 and a 34-year-old woman, were arrested during a joint operation by Customs and Police at Larnaca’s fishing harbour.
The Larnaca District Court ordered four-day detention for the men and 24-hour detention for the woman.
Customs Department spokesman George Constantinou told philenews, “This is the largest case of its kind we’ve investigated in recent years. We’d have to go back many years to find a comparable case”.
The operation was uncovered when authorities detected suspects loading hundreds of cigarette boxes onto a vessel unauthorised for international travel.
Officials are investigating whether the group planned to transfer the cargo to another vessel offshore for transport to Israel.
In addition to the cigarettes, authorities seized approximately €50,000 in cash (€39,530 and $11,613), luxury watches, and two vehicles.
Searches were conducted at a Larnaca warehouse, a private residence, and a hotel room where the female suspect was apprehended.
“Interpol, Israeli authorities, and the Bicommunal Committee on Crime will be notified as we attempt to identify suppliers in the occupied territories”, Constantinou added.
Investigators are also examining possible connections to additional suspects in government-controlled areas.
A small quantity of cocaine was also discovered during the arrests. The operation, conducted on Sunday, involved the Drug Law Enforcement Unit (YKAN), Larnaca CID, Police Dog Unit, and Customs Department.
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