Cyprus Police Make Fifth Arrest in Case Involving 230 kg of Drugs in Nicosia

Cyprus Police have arrested a 30-year-old man in connection with more than 230 kg of drugs, a pistol, a revolver and improvised explosive devices found in Nicosia district. The arrest was made on 30 August under a court warrant that had remained outstanding. This is the fifth arrest in the case.

The 30-year-old will be brought before the Nicosia District Court today, where a decision will be made on his remand in custody. Four other suspects are already in custody: men aged 34 and 27, and two 26-year-olds.

The case began on 19 February, when a planned operation against organised crime was carried out in Nicosia district. At around 10:30 a.m., officers from the Drug Enforcement Unit stopped a car for inspection. It was being driven by a 34-year-old man, with a 26-year-old man travelling beside him. Officers found 11,480 firecrackers in the vehicle, while the passenger was carrying approximately 27 g of dried cannabis and around 9 g of white powder believed to be cocaine. Both men were arrested at the scene.

During subsequent searches of the home and premises linked to the 34-year-old, officers seized 167 kg of dried cannabis, 62 kg of cocaine and 4.5 kg of hashish. They also found a pistol, a revolver and a replica pistol, two improvised explosive devices, 9 mm calibre ammunition and €12,765 in cash.

In addition, police seized two sheets of paper allegedly impregnated with drugs and 381 electronic cigarettes containing a substance resembling a narcotic. The investigation is continuing by the Nicosia Drug Enforcement Unit.