Romanian and British Nationals Caught with Smuggled Cigarettes at Larnaca Airport

At Larnaca Airport, customs authorities of the Republic of Cyprus seized two large shipments of duty-free cigarettes. The suspects, citizens of Romania and the United Kingdom, were detained for smuggling.

According to the customs department, both operations took place on Tuesday, August 27th.

In the first case, during a routine inspection of departing passengers, the luggage of a 50-year-old Romanian national, who was scheduled to fly to Athens, was searched. Customs officers discovered a total of 48 kg of rolling tobacco (24 kg in each suitcase). The tobacco products lacked the required health warnings in Greek and Turkish, as well as the necessary safety markings and unique tracking codes.

The passenger was arrested and brought before the Larnaca District Court, which imposed a fine of €9,400.

In the second case, during another passenger inspection, customs officers searched three pieces of luggage belonging to a 42-year-old British national, who was scheduled to fly to London. They found 145 cartons, each containing 200 cigarettes. These cigarettes also lacked the necessary health warnings in Greek and Turkish, as well as the required safety markings and unique tracking codes.

The passenger was arrested but later released after paying a fine of €6,500 to settle the offense out of court.