Tourist arrested at Ercan Airport for illegal import and possession of drugs

A tourist identified as F.H. was detained at Ercan Airport in Northern Cyprus on October 28, 2025, after a sniffer dog reacted during passenger inspection.

Police officer Hacı Durdu Özer told the court that at around 19:30 the sniffer dog Pamir reacted to the suspect, after which a search was conducted. A total of 0.5 grams of a narcotic substance was found in an electronic cigarette heater.

According to police, the detainee admitted that the substance belonged to him and that he brought it to the island for personal use. Police brought him to court twice and obtained an 8-day extension for the investigation.

Police noted that the accused is a UK citizen who was in the TRNC as a tourist and requested that he be held in custody. Judge Şevket Gazi ruled that the accused will remain in prison for a period not exceeding 20 days.

The incident confirms that sniffer dogs are used at the airport and personal belongings are inspected upon entry to Northern Cyprus.