Newsroom
Huge quantities of contraband cigarettes and tobacco were confiscated after being found yesterday in Limassol following a joint operation by the Police and the Customs Department. A 57-year-old man was arrested and detained in connection with the case.
According to information, around 10.30 p.m. yesterday, members of the Police, who were on motorized patrol, spotted a car moving suspiciously on a street in Limassol. They followed the vehicle until it came to a stop outside a building complex. When questioned, the driver did not give a credible reason as to why he was in the area and police proceeded to search his vehicle where they found a key to a warehouse inside the building.
A subsequent search of the warehouse revealed huge quantities of contraband tobacco.
Police also found cash in the amount of €6,920, a number of checks in the amount of €1,630 and Turkish pounds worth 102,890.
All in all, 975 kilos and 850 grams of tobacco, 749,520 cigarettes and 81,400 heated cigarettes were found and confiscated. The value of the tobacco products amounted to €51,855. Additional tax and duties on these products are estimated at €341,175.
The 57-year-old was arrested by officials of the Customs Department for illegal possession of duty-free tobacco products and is being detained pending investigation.
Limassol TAE and the Customs Department are handling the case.
