Newsroom
A 31-year-old man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after a court found him guilty of possessing more than 15 kilos of cocaine and nearly 95 kilos of cannabis with intent to supply, quantities judges described as deeply alarming.
The Larnaca Permanent Criminal Court handed down the sentence Tuesday, stressing that Cyprus has seen a worrying rise in large-scale drug trafficking in recent years.
In a strongly worded decision, the court described the spread of narcotics as a “social scourge” that threatens the country’s foundations, particularly its youth. Judges said the social and economic cost of drug use and distribution remains enormous, despite ongoing efforts to contain the problem.
The Moldovan national was convicted on two counts related to the possession and intended distribution of approximately 15.060 kilograms of cocaine and 94.960 kilograms of cannabis, amounts the court said could not be treated lightly.
While the judges acknowledged several mitigating factors, they ultimately concluded that a long sentence was necessary.
The court took into account the defendant’s age, his clean criminal record, his admission of guilt, financial hardship, and his claims of being a chronic drug user and gambling addict. It also considered his role in the trafficking chain as a transporter rather than an organizer.
But the scale of the drugs involved weighed heavily in the final decision.
The court noted that previous severe sentences in similar cases have not deterred would-be offenders, underscoring the need for penalties that send a strong message.
“In cases involving such quantities, nature and quality of drugs, the sentence must reflect the need for deterrence and the protection of society,” the ruling stated.
The 20-year term ranks among the heavier sentences imposed in recent years for drug distribution cases, as authorities continue to grapple with what they describe as an escalating problem.
