Arrest made in Paphos for illegal hunting in restricted area

A second arrest was made by Paphos police on Monday in connection with an ongoing investigation into illegal hunting in a restricted area.

According to Paphos Assistant Police Director of Operations Michalis Nikolaou, a 27-year-old man was arrested on Monday, following the arrest of a 19-year-old suspect on Sunday. The 19-year-old appeared before the Paphos District Court and was placed under a one-day detention. A third suspect remains at large.

Police are investigating charges of conspiracy to commit a misdemeanor, hunting in a prohibited area, transporting an assembled hunting rifle inside a vehicle, and failing to comply with an order from a game warden. Arrest warrants have been issued for all three suspects, two of whom are now in custody.

Nikolaou explained that on Sunday, members of the Game and Wildlife Service were patrolling the village of Arodes to prevent illegal hunting when they spotted a vehicle carrying three individuals. One of the passengers fired a shot from an open window, killing a bird. The suspects sped away after being signaled to stop.

The Game and Wildlife Service recorded the vehicle’s registration, and police investigations revealed that the occupants were a 27-year-old man from Ineia and a 19-year-old individual. The identity of the third suspect remains unknown.

Police have seized the freshly killed bird as evidence, along with the hunting rifle belonging to the 19-year-old.

[Information sourced from CNA]