Indian man held over drug importation via Larnaca airport
A consignment that arrived from abroad with purported artistic materials contained a large quantity of prohibited substances. Police are investigating a wider network.
Indian man held over drug importation via Larnaca airport
A consignment that arrived in the Republic via Larnaca airport with purported artistic materials ultimately contained a large quantity of prohibited substances, according to Philenews.
The incident was uncovered on 22 June, when officers from the Drug Suppression Service in Limassol visited a transport company in Ypsonas following a tip-off. During the inspection, a box was found containing forty packages of dried poppy seed pods, with a total weight of approximately eight kilograms.
The investigation revealed that the telephone number listed as the contact details of the recipient belonged to a thirty-year-old man of Indian origin. The name written on the consignment did not match any person in the authorities' records. Via a controlled delivery operation, a police officer called the number, with the recipient claiming ignorance of any order.
At the same time, the prosecution authorities had placed surveillance on the foreigner's residence and movements. He was found driving on the seafront road in Limassol and was stopped near the entrance to the Old Harbour. A search of the vehicle and person followed, with nothing unlawful found. However, two mobile phones belonging to third parties were seized from his possession.
The thirty-year-old was summoned to the Drug Suppression Service offices in Limassol, where he was arrested on the basis of a warrant. During questioning, he denied any involvement. The district court approved the request for an eight-day remand in custody.
The investigation is continuing at an intensive pace. Investigators expect to take twenty-two statements from people in the arrested man's professional and personal circles. Previous consignments of similar content and weight are being examined, as well as the involvement of additional persons. The Drug Suppression Service is additionally investigating whether five other consignments connected to the same number were imported into the country using the same method.
CCTV footage is being sought that may have recorded previous deliveries. All evidence has or will be sent to laboratories for scientific analysis. The authorities intend to seek judicial permission to examine the data on the seized phones.
Source: Philenews