In the last week (Sunday 13/06/2021 - Sunday 20/06/2021), the Cyprus Police has achieved new successes. In particular, cases involving illegal possession of weapons, explosives and drugs, child pornography and attempted murder, as well as other serious cases were found. The Cyprus Police also took part in EUROPOL's pan-European campaign to combat trafficking in persons in the labour sector and as part of the checks, one person was arrested and eight potential victims of trafficking in persons.
Weapons, explosives and drugs. Last Wednesday, members of the YKAN (Limassol Branch), the Limassol Agency, the Foreign and Immigration Service and the Dog Branch conducted coordinated operations with searches of houses, premises and vehicles in Limassol, during which three persons were arrested as part of an assessment of relevant information. During the investigations, a total of three pistols, 128 full cartridges, methamphetamine weighing one and a half kg and a large amount of money were found and seized.
Also, on the same day, after an evaluation of information received by members of YKAN, there were found in an open area in Nicosia province two rifles, two magazines and a number of cartridges, a quantity of about 300 grams of dynamite raw material, as well as two detonators were seized.
Last Thursday, at a 54-year-old's residence in Nicosia province there were identified by members of the Police (YKAN Nicosia) and seized after a search by a court order: two air pistols, a magazine and various other firearms accessories, as well as a number of pellets, an improvised electrical outlet mechanism, a quantity of crystal methamphetamine, a metal breaker and a precision scale with traces of white powder. The 54-year-old and a 29-year-old man were arrested for these offences.
Child pornography - The Police proceeded last Sunday to arrest a 20-year-old Larnaca resident, following information obtained by Europol, according to which a user of a social networking page allegedly uploaded to the internet, through his account, a number of child pornography files. Immediately the Electronic Crime Division began examinations and obtained testimony against him, resulting in him being arrested for possession or possession and distribution, transmission of child pornography.
Seizure of a large quantity of drugs - A kilogram of cocaine, a quantity of cannabis and a large number of fireworks were seized following an operation by the Anti-Drugs Agency last week.
The coordinated operation of YKAN was preceded by the collection and evaluation of information on drug trafficking. Three persons were arrested and detained in this case.
Arrests of persons for committing serious cases. As part of an assessment of witness and other material, members of the Police have found serious cases. In particular, last Sunday they arrested a 27-year-old man who was wanted as part of an investigation into an attempted murder case committed on 9/6/2021 in Limassol province.
They also arrested a 35-year-old man who appears to be involved in an office arson case on the evening of June 12.
In addition, a case was solved for the attempted destruction of property with explosives, committed on 25/5/2021 (explosion at the entrance of the Ministry of Health) in Nicosia with the arrest of a 32-year-old last Monday.
A 27-year-old man, who appears to be involved in an arson case at a holiday home in Paphos, was also arrested last Friday.
Burglaries and thefts. The prevention and suppression of offences against property is a top priority of the Police.
In this context, in the past week, a number of burglary and theft cases have been solved. Last Tuesday, a 26-year-old Limassol resident was arrested, wanted in connection with investigations into car and motorcycle thefts and home thefts.
Moreover, with the arrest last Tuesday of a 31-year-old Larnaca resident wanted by the Police, cases of thefts committed between the months of March and May 2021 in the provinces of Limassol and Larnaca were investigated.
Europol's pan-European campaign to combat trafficking in persons in the labour sector, in which Cyprus also took part. Last Thursday, the results of Europol's Pan-European campaign, which took place from 31 May to 6 June 2021, were published in 23 European countries, including Cyprus to combat trafficking in persons in the labour sector. During the operation, 229 persons (73 for the offence of trafficking in persons) were arrested and 630 potential victims of trafficking in persons were identified. One person was arrested in Cyprus and eight possible victims of trafficking were identified.
