Authorities Seize Another 482 Packs of E-Cigarettes Worth Over 300,000 Lira in TRNC

A man appeared in court in Nicosia after authorities seized 482 packs of electronic cigarettes valued at 313,300 Turkish lira. He has been released on bail set at 20,000 lira.

The defendant, Rahim Cavdar, was arrested for smuggling duty-free goods in Nicosia and Kyrenia.

According to the police, the suspect was detained on October 2. The electronic cigarettes were discovered during a search of a residence on Mehmet Kemal Sokak Küçük Kaymaklı, hidden in two suitcases in the suspect’s bedroom.

Cavdar confessed to the crime, stating that he obtained the e-cigarettes through his brother-in-law, who lives abroad.

Surveillance footage shows the suspect approaching a vehicle on September 30 and unloading the e-cigarettes into a box. The next day, individuals arrived at the office in a black taxi and collected the cigarettes. The police noted that during the investigation, the occupants of the black taxi were found and arrested while attempting to leave the TRNC from the Kyrenia port with 77,800 e-cigarettes valued at 570,000 Turkish lira.

As a result of the investigation, the location where the suspect obtained his merchandise was identified. Criminal charges have been filed against the owner of the retail outlet for engaging in wholesale sales.

Considering the evidence presented, the judge prohibited the suspect from leaving the country until the trial. He was released from custody on bail of 20,000 Turkish lira and a surety from a TRNC citizen for 500,000 lira. He is required to report to the police four days a week.