hay smuggling — hay smuggling — A 75-year-old man is at the centre of an investigation regarding potential smuggling of hay and animal feed from the occupied north of Cyprus, sparking concerns about the spread of foot-and-mouth disease.
- Currently, the situation is under close watch, especially given the ongoing vaccination drive against foot-and-mouth disease in Cyprus, which has so far reported no new cases.
Cyprus customs authorities became aware of the situation after receiving an anonymous tip around midday on Wednesday, which suggested that the man, previously apprehended for smuggling tobacco products, might also be involved in transporting hay and feed illegally.
Customs Department spokesman Giorgos Konstantinou confirmed that the information prompted immediate action. “We were seriously alarmed and informed the police yesterday so that co-ordinated action could be taken — to investigate whether the tip holds up in the first place, and then whether we can connect it to a possible spread of foot-and-mouth disease from the occupied areas to the free areas,” he stated.
The investigation follows a prior incident last Wednesday, when the man was caught in the Dali area with smuggled tobacco. Subsequently, he reached an out-of-court settlement, paying €13,000. However, this new tip-off has broadened the scope of scrutiny around his activities.
Authorities are now faced with the complex task of verifying the claims regarding hay and animal feed. Konstantinou emphasised that the investigation is still in its early stages, with the current focus solely on the unverified tip. “What we have right now is a piece of information and a conjecture — nothing has been confirmed,” he noted.
To ascertain the facts, customs officials will collaborate with other relevant agencies over the coming days. If it is confirmed that the man transported hay and feed from the occupied north, investigators will then focus on establishing any connection between those goods and the virus.
As for the timeline of this investigation, Konstantinou remarked on the intricacies involved in moving from receiving a tip to building solid evidence. “It takes time, it takes a lot of effort, and we will do everything possible to see it through,” he assured.
Currently, the situation is under close watch, especially given the ongoing vaccination drive against foot-and-mouth disease in Cyprus, which has so far reported no new cases.
