A Cache of Smuggled Cigarettes Worth €200,000 Found in Cyprus

The Cyprus Police have uncovered a massive stash of tobacco products valued at over €200,000, allegedly smuggled in from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

According to the Customs Department, the hidden cache was discovered in a shed cleverly concealed behind a birdcage. The find came after police stopped two vehicles driven by Greek Cypriot men, aged 43 and 23, for a routine check. Inside the vehicles, authorities found 38 cartons, each containing 200 cigarettes, along with 56 boxes and five packs of electronic cigarettes, 1.7 kilograms of rolling tobacco, and 500 grams of shisha tobacco.

None of the seized products bore the bilingual health warnings in Greek and Turkish or the unique tracking codes and security marks required for legal tobacco products sold in the Republic of Cyprus.

The vehicles were confiscated, and both men were arrested.

Following the arrests, police conducted a search of a property managed by the suspects. Behind a false wall, they uncovered 41 cartons of cigarettes (200 cigarettes per carton), 35 boxes and four packs of electronic cigarettes, 3.87 kilograms of rolling tobacco, and 500 grams of shisha tobacco.

The investigation then led authorities to a second location, where they discovered a birdcage hiding the entrance to a shed. The shed could only be accessed via a special mechanism that opened a concealed door.

Inside the shed, authorities found an enormous haul: 2,595 cartons of cigarettes (a total of 519,000 cigarettes), 1,384 boxes of electronic cigarettes, 90.75 kilograms of rolling tobacco, and 272.5 kilograms of shisha tobacco.

It was later confirmed that all the products had been smuggled into Cyprus from the TRNC. The Customs Department estimated the total value of the contraband at €217,284.

The two suspects are scheduled to appear in court today, where a decision regarding their detention will be made.

Related: What are the rules on bringing cigarettes from Cyprus?

What items are prohibited when crossing the Green Line from the TRNC?