Police and customs officers seized large quantities of suspected duty-free tobacco products following joint operations in Ayia Napa, Paphos, and Nicosia.
The raids took place on 26 and 28 August, leading to two arrests. In Paphos, a 47-year-old man was released after agreeing to a €4,000 out-of-court settlement, while a 60-year-old man in Nicosia remains in custody pending a remand hearing.
Famagusta crime prevention officers carried out the first operation on 26 August in Ayia Napa, seizing 51 cartons of heated tobacco sticks and 35 kg of shisha tobacco.
Customs officials said the products lacked mandatory health warnings in Greek and Turkish, safety features, and unique traceability codes. Officers confiscated the items for destruction and are working to identify and arrest the owner.
In a second operation on 28 August, Paphos customs officers and police raided a kiosk in Poli Chrysochous run by a 47-year-old man after acting on intelligence.
Officers found 25 cartons of 200 cigarettes, three cartons of heated tobacco, 2.65 kg of rolling tobacco, and 3.25 kg of shisha tobacco. None of the items bore the required markings or codes.
Police initially arrested the 47-year-old before releasing him after he accepted a €4,000 out-of-court settlement.
The largest seizure took place later the same day in Nicosia province, where officers searched the home of a 60-year-old under a court warrant.
Investigators seized 361 cartons of 200 cigarettes, 68 loose packets, 111 cartons of heated tobacco, 1 kg of rolling tobacco, 595 grams of pipe tobacco, 30 cigars, and 1,400 cigarillos.
Police arrested the 60-year-old, who customs officials said has multiple previous convictions for similar offences. He will appear before Nicosia District Court for a remand order.
Authorities will destroy all confiscated products in line with standard procedures.
