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A 37-year-old Nicosia socialite, businesswoman, and influencer was arrested Friday in connection with a sprawling criminal operation involving drug trafficking, illegal gambling, and money laundering that reportedly generated €1 million in recent months, police said.
The woman, whose name has not been officially released, was detained alongside a convicted felon identified in court as Giorgos Christodoulou Zavrantonas, her alleged romantic partner, as well as her father, mother, brother, and a 40-year-old man accused of acting as a money courier. Her sister is not implicated, authorities confirmed.
Authorities seized more than €300,000 in cash from the suspects’ homes, a family-run jewelry store, and the courier's residence during coordinated raids. Court testimony revealed that funds were funneled weekly, around €50,000, through illicit activities including drug sales and offering protection services.
Investigators believe the 37-year-old coordinated the movement of funds with Zavrantonas via encrypted apps, and allegedly paid off three prison guards to provide him preferential treatment. The guards' homes were also searched and their phones confiscated.
The suspects were brought before court on Friday. The socialite, the felon, and the alleged courier were ordered to be held for eight days, while three family members received six-day remand orders.
The arrests follow months of covert investigation, initiated after a credible tipoff that Zavrantonas was orchestrating the criminal network from behind bars, even conducting video calls with the influencer and her mother.
With information from 24News.
