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Paphos Mayor Phedonas Phedonos has launched a scathing attack on the chief of police, accusing him of breaking a promise, compromising his safety, and politicizing law enforcement, all while raising the alarm on alleged money laundering in Cyprus by Latin American drug cartels.
In a letter sent Thursday to Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis, Phedonos expressed outrage over what he called a breach of confidentiality. He said that just 42 minutes after agreeing to give confidential testimony in Nicosia, rather than Paphos, to avoid leaks, police leaked news that the chief had called him in for questioning.
"As mayor, I will continue speaking out about the drug problem in Paphos and across Cyprus. The authorities have the tools, 5,000 officers and advanced technology. Use them."
“This not only violated your commitment to me but seriously endangered my personal safety,” the mayor wrote. “The names of specific drug traffickers in Paphos are known and were discussed with top officials, including the Justice Minister and your predecessor.”
Phedonos had recently made public claims that Latin American drug cartels are laundering money through certain Forex companies based in Cyprus, using networks of subsidiaries in countries like Colombia and Brazil. He called on the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate the money trails, alleging that “dirty money” was being sanitized through these financial firms and re-entering the system as clean capital.
The mayor said he believes the police’s handling of his testimony is not just unprofessional, it's political.
“I now have serious concerns that this case is being handled with a political agenda, not purely based on professional standards,” he wrote, adding that he will only testify at a time and place of his choosing after consulting legal counsel.
Phedonos also accused the police of acting as a tool to silence criticism of the government.
“It’s unacceptable that calling public figures to testify is followed by press leaks. This feels more like intimidation and damage control than law enforcement,” he said.
He warned that criminal networks, particularly four major drug dealers he claims are still active in Paphos, are going unchecked. He urged authorities to take immediate action against them, saying he had already discussed their activities with both former drug squad chief Michael Katsunotos and Justice Minister Marios Hartsiotis.
“As mayor, I will continue speaking out about the drug problem in Paphos and across Cyprus,” he said. “The authorities have the tools, 5,000 officers and advanced technology. Use them. This island must be free of drug rings and organized crime.”
He further plans to raise the matter in Parliament, asking lawmakers to examine drug use among students and alleged links between Forex companies and media outlets that could be used to influence public opinion and loosen oversight.
Lastly, Phedonos called on the government and justice minister to publicly state what concrete actions they’re taking to fight drug trafficking and money laundering.
“The situation cannot keep getting worse every year and be accepted as normal,” he said. “The role of the police and the government is to protect society and the rule of law.”
