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Tag: customs

  • Undeclared luxury — Cypriot Man Fined €20,000 for Undeclared Luxury Goods at Larnaca Airport

    Undeclared luxury — Cypriot Man Fined €20,000 for Undeclared Luxury Goods at Larnaca Airport

    undeclared luxury — A 57-year-old Cypriot man has been fined €20,000 for attempting to evade taxes on luxury goods brought from Switzerland, according to the customs department.

    • undeclared luxury — A 57-year-old Cypriot man has been fined €20,000 for attempting to evade taxes on luxury goods brought from Switzerland, according to the customs department.
    • The incident occurred on December 1 when the man arrived at Larnaca airport carrying a luxury watch valued at approximately €98,000 and a scarf worth around €2,000.

    The incident occurred on December 1 when the man arrived at Larnaca airport carrying a luxury watch valued at approximately €98,000 and a scarf worth around €2,000.

    Having purchased these items tax-free in Switzerland, the man was under obligation to declare them upon entering Cyprus, as Switzerland is not a member of the EU. However, he chose to bypass this requirement by attempting to exit through the channel designated for passengers with nothing to declare.

    Customs officers intercepted him before he could leave the airport, leading to the hefty fine for the unpaid taxes on his luxury acquisitions. This incident highlights the importance of adhering to customs regulations when travelling internationally, especially regarding high-value items.

  • Tobacco smuggling — Surge in Tobacco Smuggling from Occupied Territories Raises Alarm

    Tobacco smuggling — Surge in Tobacco Smuggling from Occupied Territories Raises Alarm

    Tobacco smuggling cases from occupied territories have surged, prompting serious concern from authorities. Over the past year, both foreign visitors and residents from government-controlled areas have increasingly crossed into the occupied north to engage in this illicit trade.

    Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com

    Recently, at Paphos airport, a British man was intercepted just before his departure from the UK. Customs officials, acting on a tip-off, discovered a significant stash of tobacco products in his luggage. The haul included 135 cartons of 200 cigarettes each, along with four packets of 20 cigarettes and 500 grams of loose tobacco.

    Photo: in-cyprus.philenews.com

    Authorities noted that the seized products lacked the required warning labels in both Greek and Turkish, as well as the essential security features and unique traceability codes. This violation of regulations led to the man’s arrest, and he was remanded in custody for four days following a court appearance.

    This incident follows a notable case from last month, where a Greek-Cypriot man attempted to smuggle hundreds of cigarette cartons through the Ayios Dhometios checkpoint. The growing trend of tobacco smuggling has raised alarms, as it not only breaks local laws but also poses health risks due to the unregulated nature of the products being transported.

    The rise in these smuggling activities reflects a larger issue that authorities are grappling with, as they seek to enforce regulations and ensure public health is not compromised. The implications of such smuggling extend beyond immediate legal concerns, highlighting the need for stricter monitoring and enforcement at borders.

  • Duty-free cigarettes — Large Seizure of Duty-Free Cigarettes in Athienou

    Duty-free cigarettes — Large Seizure of Duty-Free Cigarettes in Athienou

    A total of 6,400 boxes of duty-free cigarettes were seized in the Athienou-Lypmia area on Thursday, marking a significant enforcement action by local customs officials.

    • A total of 6,400 boxes of duty-free cigarettes were seized in the Athienou-Lypmia area on Thursday, marking a significant enforcement action by local customs officials.
    • The customs department announced that the seizure, valued at over €380,000 in unpaid duties, occurred during a routine search of a rental vehicle driven by a 51-year-old man.

    The customs department announced that the seizure, valued at over €380,000 in unpaid duties, occurred during a routine search of a rental vehicle driven by a 51-year-old man.

    Authorities discovered the tobacco products in the vehicle, each box containing 200 cigarettes. Alarmingly, the packs did not display the mandatory health warnings in Greek and Turkish, nor did they possess the unique traceability codes required for all cigarettes sold within the European Union.

    Following the discovery, the driver was arrested on charges related to the illegal transport of tobacco products. He is scheduled to appear before the Nicosia District Court on Friday to face the charges. Customs authorities have indicated that investigations into the case will continue as they seek to understand the broader implications of this seizure.

  • Cannabis — 26-Year-Old Man Arrested at Larnaca Airport with 24kg of Cannabis

    Cannabis — 26-Year-Old Man Arrested at Larnaca Airport with 24kg of Cannabis

    A 26-year-old man has been arrested at Larnaca airport after customs officers discovered nearly 24 kilograms of cannabis in his luggage following his arrival from a European country.

    • A 26-year-old man has been arrested at Larnaca airport after customs officers discovered nearly 24 kilograms of cannabis in his luggage following his arrival from a European country.
    • The YKAN's Larnaca Unit is now looking into several charges against the individual, including importation, possession, and possession of narcotics with intent to supply to others.

    The incident took place shortly after 5.30pm yesterday, as part of ongoing operations led by the Police’s Drug Law Enforcement Unit (YKAN) in collaboration with the Customs Department. These operations aim to identify individuals attempting to import narcotics into Cyprus.

    Acting on intelligence gathered by YKAN members, customs officers conducted a search of the suspect as he passed through the “Nothing to Declare” channel in the arrivals area of Larnaca airport. He had just disembarked from a European flight when officers found the substantial haul.

    In total, officers seized 44 packages containing dried cannabis plant material, with the total gross weight amounting to 23 kilograms and 946 grams. The man was promptly arrested and remains in custody as police continue their investigation.

    The YKAN’s Larnaca Unit is now looking into several charges against the individual, including importation, possession, and possession of narcotics with intent to supply to others.

  • Cannabis — 34-Year-Old Arrested with Over 24kg of Cannabis at Larnaca Airport

    Cannabis — 34-Year-Old Arrested with Over 24kg of Cannabis at Larnaca Airport

    A 34-year-old man was arrested at Larnaca airport on Wednesday after authorities discovered over 24kg of cannabis in his suitcase.

    • A 34-year-old man was arrested at Larnaca airport on Wednesday after authorities discovered over 24kg of cannabis in his suitcase.
    • Upon his arrival, police and customs officers conducted a thorough search of his luggage. During the search, they uncovered 44 packages containing cannabis, which collectively weighed 24.568kg.

    Upon his arrival, police and customs officers conducted a thorough search of his luggage. During the search, they uncovered 44 packages containing cannabis, which collectively weighed 24.568kg.

    The man, whose identity has not been disclosed, was taken into custody immediately following the discovery. He is scheduled to appear before the Larnaca district court on the same day for a remand order.

    This incident highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat drug trafficking at the airport. Authorities have been vigilant in their inspections, aiming to intercept illegal substances before they can enter the local market.