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.