More than 1,450 cannabis-based products, including jelly beans and biscuits containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), with a total weight of 29 kilograms, were seized by police in 2024 and January 2025 from shops across Cyprus. Deputy Commander of Administration and Operations at the DLEU Headquarters, Christos Andreou, told CNA that consuming such products orally is dangerous and can be life-threatening.
According to Mr. Andreou, individuals who have ingested these products—often in the form of lozenges—have been hospitalized with various symptoms, some of which posed serious risks to their health.
He also warned that the public should be aware of these dangers, particularly since minors may have access to such products.
When asked about the symptoms associated with their consumption, Mr. Andreou stated that they can cause severe drowsiness, lethargy, and a loss of consciousness. He further emphasized that even a single use "can lead to hospitalization."
Dozens of shop searches and prosecutions
Andreou noted that in 2024, authorities conducted numerous searches, leading to the discovery of 2,142 cannabis-related products, of which approximately 1,800 contained either cannabidiol (CBD) or tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). In January 2025 alone, authorities identified an additional 673 such products.
Over the past year, dozens of shop searches were carried out nationwide, resulting in legal action against individuals selling these products. In January 2025, five searches were conducted, and one person who was found selling these products was taken to court.
Authorities also confiscated 29 kilograms of jelly beans and biscuits containing THC.
Not everything is illegal
When asked about the legality of such products, the DLEU Commander clarified that not all cannabis-related items are illegal—it depends on the substances they contain.
He explained that products containing cannabidiol (CBD) are classified as pharmaceutical products, requiring official authorization for marketing. Any wholesale or retail sale without the necessary licenses is prohibited, he stressed.
However, products containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are strictly illegal.
Andreou added that enforcement operations are conducted in collaboration with the Pharmaceutical Services and the Intellectual Property Theft Offenses Branch of the Cybercrime Unit at Police Headquarters.
Drug seizures on the rise in 2024
Regarding overall drug seizures, Andreou reported a significant increase in 2024 compared to 2023.
He told CNA that last year, authorities confiscated:
617 kilograms of cannabis, 54 kilograms of cocaine, 696 Ecstasy tablets,34 kilograms of Khat, a plant-based drug containing cathinone, which was detected in Cyprus for the first time in 2024.
This article was translated from its Greek original.
