The Customs Department carried out a series of successful interceptions and seizures on March 3-4, 2026, uncovering several illicit activities at various crossing points, including the illegal transportation of foreign nationals, animal products, and duty-free cigarettes.
On March 3, 2026, Customs officers at the Ayios Dometios crossing point noticed a long-base vehicle driven by a 57-year-old man attempting to evade control and return to the occupied areas.
Upon stopping the vehicle, officers discovered a 27-year-old foreign national hiding behind the second row of seats. During the attempted escape, the driver collided with another vehicle, prompting officers to request police assistance to stop him. Following the vehicle’s immobilization, it was found that the 27-year-old was being trafficked illegally into the free areas. Both the driver and the smuggled individual were arrested and handed over to the police for further investigation.
Later that night, the Customs officers intercepted another vehicle, which was found to be carrying 150 kilograms of cattle bones and hides in the storage area, violating the Green Line Regulation on the transport of animal products. Due to the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, these animal products were immediately seized and destroyed. The offender was offered an out-of-court settlement of €500 for the illegal smuggling, and the vehicle was confiscated.
On March 4, 2026, Customs officers at the Astromeritis-Zodias crossing point intercepted another vehicle that was found to be transporting nine boxes of 200 cigarettes each and six boxes of 200 heated tobacco products, all without health warnings in Greek and Turkish, indicating they were untaxed. The individual involved was arrested for customs offenses, and the vehicle was seized along with the smuggled tobacco products.
Later, the individual was released after accepting an out-of-court settlement, paying €720 for the smuggling offenses and an additional €280 for the release of the vehicle.
Also on March 4, at the Ayios Dometios crossing, a woman driving a vehicle was found to be carrying four boxes of 200 cigarettes each and three boxes of 200 heated tobacco products, all also lacking the required health warnings. She was arrested for customs violations, and both the tobacco products and the vehicle were seized. Later, the woman was released after accepting an out-of-court settlement of €330 plus €170 for the release of the vehicle.
These ongoing operations reflect the Customs Department’s commitment to curbing smuggling activities and ensuring the enforcement of Cyprus’s customs regulations.
