Newsroom
Cyprus customs officers have seized roughly 200 kilograms of raw meat found in a vehicle entering the Republic from the occupied northern areas, warning again about the public health risks linked to unregulated animal products.
The incident occurred on November 6, 2025, during a routine inspection at the Agios Dometios crossing point. Officials from the Customs Department stopped a car driven by a Turkish Cypriot man and discovered large quantities of fresh meat, bones, and animal skins reportedly sourced from the north.
Both the meat and the vehicle were confiscated on the spot. The driver later abandoned the products for destruction and paid a €600 administrative fine to settle the offenses and reclaim his car.
Authorities emphasized that the import of animal products from the occupied areas is strictly prohibited under the Green Line Regulations, which govern movement of goods across the buffer zone. These controls exist because such items bypass state veterinary and health inspections, creating a significant risk of spreading infectious diseases.
The Customs Department urged the public once more to avoid purchasing or transporting products from the north, especially meat or other animal-based goods, citing the need to protect public health and comply with national and EU safety rules.
