Customs officials and police have raided a shop in Larnaca, seizing a significant number of illegal cannabinoid products linked to serious health risks.
Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com
- Customs officials and police have raided a shop in Larnaca, seizing a significant number of illegal cannabinoid products linked to serious health risks.
Last Friday’s operation involved the Drug Law Enforcement Unit (YKAN), pharmaceutical services, and health inspectors, who targeted a premises known for selling cannabinoid items alongside various other products.
Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com
During the raid, customs officers confiscated 145 electronic cigarettes, refill liquids, ingestible drops, and two units of cannabinoid liquids intended for pets. The Customs Department noted that similar items seized in previous operations had been found to contain psychotropic substances.
Analysis of some products revealed the presence of MDMB-en-PINACA, a dangerous synthetic cannabinoid that has been associated with fatalities worldwide. Any items that have not yet been tested are set to undergo laboratory analysis to identify their ingredients, allowing officials to determine whether to permanently confiscate them or return them to the owner.
YKAN officers reported the seizure of 193 packages containing cannabis or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), along with 38 packages of CBD products confiscated by other agencies. Authorities indicated that these CBD items lacked the necessary marketing authorisation or were otherwise prohibited under food control laws.
The Customs Department has issued a stark warning about the “extremely high risk” posed by consuming such products without medical supervision. They emphasised that MDMB-en-PINACA is often used as an illegal adulterant in products marketed as natural cannabis or vaping liquids.
Furthermore, the department highlighted alarming statistics, noting that dozens of poisonings and numerous deaths have been reported globally due to this substance. Studies indicate that MDMB-en-PINACA can cause irreversible damage to memory and learning by destroying brain cells.
