South Cyprus customs officers arrest 3 Turkish Cypriot men, confiscate large quantities of illegal tobacco products

Greek Cypriot police have arrested three Turkish Cypriot men at the Larnaca airport in south Cyprus for attempting to illegally export a large quantity of tobacco products to the UK.

The Customs and Excise Department in a statement on Thursday said airport customs officers on Sunday confiscated a total of 90,050 grams of the brands of Amber Leaf and Old Holborn rolling tobacco as well as 64 cartons of Benson & Hedges and Rothmans cigarettes in the suspects’ luggage. 

They were due to depart for the United Kingdom.

The packs did not carry the legally required smoking harm markings or any safety features and the unique traceability identification code, the announcement also said.

The total customs duty due on the confiscated tobacco products amounts to €19,476.

On Monday customs officers at Ayios Dometios crossing point in Nicosia confiscated 36 cartons of cigarettes, 1,400 grams of rolling tobacco and 1 carton of herbal cigarettes of various brands.

They were in the possession of a Greek Cypriot man who had entered the south from the TRNC in his car.

Also, the packs did not bear the legally required smoking harm markings, safety features and unique traceability identification code.

The man was also arrested and remanded in custody pending a trial.

In-Cyprus