Six Poachers Arrested in Five Districts of the TRNC

Over the past weekend, Iskele police conducted raids to identify poachers during the first hunting season of the year. In five districts, six individuals were arrested for violating established hunting regulations.

According to the police press office, the first incident took place in Hunting Area No. 9, located between the villages of Mehmetçik and Balalan. Two hunters were caught transporting unloaded shotguns, not in the trunk as required by law, but in the cabin of their car. Both were fined the equivalent of the minimum wage.

In the same hunting area, a 74-year-old man was apprehended for using a prohibited sound device while hunting. He was fined twice the minimum wage for the violation.

In Hunting Area No. 19, between Topçuköy and Altınova, a 45-year-old hunter was found in possession of 47 live rounds and 24 spent shotgun shells from GCA, which are banned from being imported into the TRNC. Another individual was found with 12 shotgun shells and was hunting within 50 meters of a dirt or asphalt road, which is also prohibited. Both were arrested.

In Hunting Area No. 1, located in Dipkarpaz, two men were caught with shotgun cartridges of Greek-Cypriot origin, which are also prohibited from being imported into the TRNC. It was also discovered that they were transporting their shotguns disassembled, which is against the law.

In Hunting Area No. 16, located between Iskele and Turnalar, a man was arrested for carrying a loaded shotgun. He was fined the equivalent of the minimum wage for this violation.

On the Ardahan-Kantara Road, a 20-year-old hunter was found with a hunting rifle and 38 rounds of ammunition registered under his father’s name. The young man did not have a valid hunting license. He was arrested, and a criminal case has been filed against him.

Read also: Hunting regulations in Northern Cyprus