Customs and Excise Department Larnaca: arrest of 30-year-old with 2,000 packets of contraband cigarettes and 54 kilogrammes of tobacco
Members of the Customs and Excise Department arrested a 30-year-old in Larnaca district following a vehicle inspection. 2,000 packets of cigarettes and 54 kilogrammes of tobacco without legal markings were found.
Arrest in Larnaca for contraband tobacco products
The Customs and Excise Department – YPEE proceeded with the arrest of a 30-year-old in Larnaca district, following a coordinated operation based on information that had been previously gathered and assessed, according to Dialogos.
At approximately 5.20 p.m., members of the Customs and Excise Department located and immobilised a specific vehicle being driven by the 30-year-old in an area of the district. During a search of the interior, a large quantity of contraband tobacco products was discovered.
The driver was arrested in flagrante delicto and was transferred, along with his vehicle, to Pera Choriou Nisou Police Station for further examination.
At the station, members of the Customs Department were called, who proceeded with a count of the seized items. It was found that there were 200 cartons of cigarettes — that is, 2,000 packets of 20 cigarettes — as well as 54 kilogrammes of tobacco for hand-rolled cigarettes, distributed in 1,080 packets of 50 grammes.
None of the products bore the required legal markings or the necessary traceability codes.
The 30-year-old remains in custody. The Customs Department has undertaken the investigation of the case.
Source: Dialogos