A large batch of smuggled cigarettes worth €380,000 seized in Cyprus

On Thursday, November 6, officers from the Green Line Monitoring and Control Center informed the Customs Department about a suspicious van traveling on the road between Athienou and Lymbia.

During the inspection of the rented vehicle driven by a 51-year-old Turkish Cypriot, inspectors found 128 boxes containing 50 cartons each — a total of 6,400 cartons of cigarettes (approximately 1.28 million pieces).

The packages lacked mandatory health warnings in Greek and Turkish, as well as excise stamps and tracking codes, indicating the contraband origin of the products.

The van and all tobacco products were confiscated, and the driver was arrested and taken to the Pera Chorio police station. After recounting and documenting the discovery, the man was charged with violations of customs law and will appear before the Nicosia District Court for a remand hearing.

Preliminary estimates suggest the state budget loss from unpaid taxes and excise duties exceeds €380,000.

The investigation is being conducted by Nicosia Customs with support from Larnaca authorities, as there is reason to believe the seized batch may be linked to another smuggling case uncovered a few hours earlier in the Pyla area.

At that time, law enforcement officers found another large shipment of illegal cigarettes and arrested the driver — an Israeli citizen.
The similarity of details suggests both batches may have come from the same source and be part of a coordinated supply scheme.

Customs authorities emphasize that combatting illegal tobacco trade remains a priority: such products not only harm the state budget but are often used to finance organized crime groups.