Tobacco smuggling explosion from occupied areas: Four networks identified
Seizures of tobacco products by customs authorities have multiplied over two years, whilst services have identified parallel groups trafficking goods from occupied areas to the EU.
Tobacco smuggling explosion from occupied areas: Four networks identified
The number of tobacco products seized by customs authorities in Cyprus has shown explosive growth over a period of just two years. In 2023, authorities had seized 3.6 million units, whilst this year the figure exceeded 23 million. These figures became known through statements made by the Press Officer of the Customs Department, Yiorgos Konstantinou, to the Phileleftheros newspaper.
Mr Konstantinou revealed the existence of four distinct groups operating in parallel, illegally transporting tobacco products from occupied areas. The goods initially end up in free Cyprus and are subsequently trafficked to countries of the European Union, without the prescribed taxes and duties being paid.
The route followed by the shipments is predetermined: lorries move via alternative routes from the occupied areas, avoiding official checkpoints. Areas not controlled by Nicosia offer easy access to cheap, untaxed tobacco products, a fact which facilitates the traffickers.
The problem is not limited exclusively to tobacco. Customs authorities are recording increased violations in other sectors as well, such as psychotropic substances, petroleum products and animal products. Particular concern is caused by the possibility of synthetic narcotics entering the country that have not appeared to date.
The Customs Department carries out continuous inspections at all crossing points, including airports and checkpoints. The inspections cover both accompanying documentation and physical inspection of shipments and vehicles.
According to the spokesperson, the results are owing to many factors: the improvement of intelligence methods and risk analysis, staff training, the use of modern technological tools and cooperation with corresponding services at national and international level.
Supervision at checkpoints is governed by a special regulation established after 2003, which defines the terms for the passage of persons, vehicles and goods from areas outside government control. Despite the measures, smugglers exploit the volume and nature of the products in order to avoid detection.
Source: Phileleftheros
Source: Philenews