Newsroom
Cyprus’ new organized crime unit arrested 26 people Thursday in a nationwide operation targeting a suspected drug trafficking network and the money police believe helped keep it running.
The Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, the specialist Cyprus Police unit dubbed the “Cyprus FBI,” led the operation, code-named “PLEGMA.” Officers carried out 27 court-authorized searches across the Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca and Famagusta districts, as well as at the Central Prisons. They searched homes, other premises, vehicles and prison cells.
Police said the arrests were part of an investigation into suspected offenses including drug trafficking, participation in a criminal organization, money laundering and illegal possession of explosives. During Thursday’s searches, officers seized €25,025 in cash, 37 mobile phones, a pistol, a hunting rifle, ammunition and small quantities of cannabis and cocaine.
From a traffic stop to a nationwide operation
The investigation began on Feb. 19, when anti-narcotics officers stopped a vehicle in the Nicosia district and found 11,480 firecrackers, along with cannabis and cocaine. Searches at a home and other premises linked to the driver turned up a much larger haul: 167 kilograms of cannabis, 62 kilograms of cocaine and 4.5 kilograms of cannabis resin, along with firearms and explosive devices. Police said five defendants in the February case were already in custody.
Police follow the money
Working with Cyprus’ anti-money laundering unit, police obtained court orders to freeze a house, plots of land, 10 cars and two motorcycles, together valued at about €400,000. The orders also covered €100,000 in funds.
Police said the financial investigation is aimed at tracing suspected criminal proceeds and cutting off the resources that allow trafficking networks to keep operating.
