Newsroom
Two Israeli and Palestinian couples have been detained in Limassol following the seizure of more than 126kg of ketamine, with investigators examining an alleged criminal network that is believed to have been importing drugs from Israel to Cyprus.
The suspects are a 53-year-old Israeli man and his 51-year-old wife, together with a 50-year-old Palestinian man and his wife. The initial police information gave the Palestinian woman’s age as 31, while a subsequent account presented to the court identified her as 35.
All four appeared before court and were remanded in custody for eight days. Their defence lawyers did not object to the police request, as investigators continue to establish the extent of the alleged operation and whether other people were involved.
The case centres on a major seizure made during searches carried out by the Drug Enforcement Unit (YKAN), working with the Limassol Information Management and Analysis Service (YDAP). Police had been conducting surveillance and operational activity for two days before carrying out searches at residences in Limassol.
The largest discovery was made at the home of the 50-year-old Palestinian suspect, where officers found 126kg and 630g of ketamine. Precision scales, mobile phones and other evidence were also recovered from the property.
A separate search involving the Israeli couple and the Palestinian man uncovered additional quantities of drugs. Police seized 34g of cocaine, 246.5g of ketamine, 15g of mephedrone and 12g of MDMA, along with €4,150, 42 packets of untaxed cigarettes, mobile phones and other evidence.
Police had initially announced the seizure on September 12, describing the haul as a quantity of cocaine exceeding 100kg and confirming that four people had been arrested. Further details released the following day identified the suspects and disclosed the much larger ketamine seizure.
According to information presented before the court, investigators are looking into an alleged criminal group involving Israelis and people of Arab origin. The group is suspected of importing and distributing narcotics from Israel to Cyprus, with police now examining both the route used and the organisation behind the shipments.
Investigators believe luxury boats may have been used to transport the drugs through marinas and ports in Larnaca and Limassol. The narcotics were allegedly concealed or disguised as construction materials and sanitary products before being taken to residential properties for storage.
Police had secured court warrants from September 10 authorising searches of homes, premises and vehicles as part of the investigation. Officers are now examining how the drugs entered Cyprus, how they were moved once on the island and whether further suspects were involved.
The YKAN Limassol unit continues to investigate the case.
