Larnaca airport seizes 48 Kg tobacco and 145 cigarette cartons

Cyprus customs officials seized 48 kilograms of roll-your-own tobacco and 145 cartons of cigarettes from two passengers at Larnaca Airport on Tuesday, August 27.

In the first incident, authorities intercepted a 50-year-old Romanian passenger bound for Athens. During a baggage check, officials found 48 kilograms of tobacco, divided into 24 kilograms per suitcase. The tobacco lacked the required health warnings in Greek and Turkish, as well as security features and traceability codes, indicating that it was untaxed. The passenger was arrested and fined €9,400 by the Larnaca District Court.

In the second case, a 42-year-old British passenger heading to London was found with 145 cartons of cigarettes, each containing 200 cigarettes. Similar to the first case, the cigarettes did not have the necessary health warnings and traceability codes, suggesting they were untaxed. The passenger was initially arrested but later released after paying a €6,500 fine to settle the charges.

[Information sourced from CNA]