Customs officers have recently seized untaxed tobacco products in two separate operations in Latsia and Deryneia, highlighting ongoing enforcement efforts against illegal tobacco trade.
The first operation occurred on October 30 in Latsia, where a property managed by a 76-year-old Greek Cypriot woman was searched. This individual had previously drawn the attention of customs authorities. During the inspection, customs officers uncovered a significant quantity of tobacco products. Notably, these items lacked the mandatory health warnings in both Greek and Turkish, as well as the necessary security features and unique traceability codes that denote taxed goods.
Untaxed tobacco: Details of the Latsia Operation
In total, customs officials discovered:
- 32 cartons of 200 cigarettes each
- 7 packs of 20 cigarettes
- 900 grams of rolling tobacco
The woman was promptly arrested for committing offences in flagrante delicto. Following her arrest, she opted for an out-of-court settlement, agreeing to pay a fine of €4,000 before her release.
Seizure at Deryneia Crossing Point
In a separate incident on the morning of October 31, customs officers conducted a routine inspection at the Deryneia crossing point. A vehicle, driven by a 57-year-old Turkish Cypriot, was stopped for inspection. Officers discovered a concealed compartment in the vehicle’s storage area, which contained additional untaxed tobacco products. Similar to the earlier case, these products were devoid of the required health warnings and security markings.
The search yielded:
- 15 cartons of 200 cigarettes each
- 1 carton of 200 heated cigarettes
- 5 packages of rolling tobacco weighing 250 grams each (totaling 1.25 kilograms)
The driver was arrested, and both the vehicle and the tobacco products were seized. He was also released after agreeing to an out-of-court settlement, which involved paying €1,500 in fines along with an extra €500 to recover his vehicle.
Legal Framework for Enforcement
The Department of Customs confirmed that these operations were conducted under the legal framework governing offences related to the possession and trade of untaxed tobacco products. The actions taken reflect the department’s commitment to enforcing regulations aimed at curbing the illegal tobacco market.
