126 kg of ketamine seized in Limassol, four people arrested

Police in Limassol seized more than 126 kg of ketamine and arrested four people — two Israeli nationals and two Palestinian nationals. The Limassol District Court remanded all four in custody for eight days.

Searches were carried out on Saturday at two homes following two days of surveillance by officers from the Drug Enforcement Unit (YKAN). At the first home, police found 126 kg 630 g of ketamine and precision scales.

At the second home, they seized 34 g of cocaine, 246.5 g of ketamine, 15 g of a synthetic stimulant and 12 g of MDMA, as well as €4,150 in cash and 42 packs of untaxed cigarettes. At both homes, police confiscated precision scales and mobile phones.

According to police, the suspects were part of an organised network that imported drugs to Cyprus from Israel on luxury yachts moored at the marinas of Limassol and Larnaca. The consignments were stored at the two homes, while the buyers, according to the investigation, were Israelis living in Cyprus rather than Cypriot citizens.

The Israeli suspects are aged 50 and 53, while the Palestinians are 35 and 51. On Sunday, they appeared before the Limassol District Court, which granted investigators eight days. The seized substance was initially identified as cocaine, but forensic testing showed that it was ketamine.