cannabis trafficking — A nine-year prison sentence for cannabis trafficking has been increased to 12 years following an appeal from the attorney-general. The man, convicted of importing, possessing, and intending to supply 8.155kg of cannabis, had his original sentence deemed inadequate by the legal service.
The appeal was prompted by concerns over the need for stricter penalties for drug-related offences. The attorney-general argued that the initial sentence did not reflect the seriousness of the crime, which involved a significant quantity of drugs intended for distribution within Cyprus.
The cannabis was discovered in a box that arrived at Larnaca airport from the United States. The individual who signed for the package was later sentenced to six months in prison for forgery, as he unknowingly acted at the behest of the main importer.
The Paphos criminal court had initially sentenced the importer to nine years of concurrent imprisonment. However, the appeals court found this ruling insufficient, noting, “We find that it was wrong not to give any weight to the facts of the commission of the offence, which were particularly aggravating for the respondent.” The court highlighted that the importer had involved innocent parties in his scheme, further complicating the case.
The court’s decision reflects a growing emphasis on imposing tougher sanctions for drug trafficking, particularly when it involves large quantities and the exploitation of others. This ruling serves as a reminder of the legal system’s commitment to deterring such crimes and ensuring accountability.