Filenews 20 November 2021 - by Michalis Hadjivasilis
The seizures also confirm the investigations into drug use in Cyprus, where there has recently been a clear shift in synthetic drugs and especially in those containing stimulants.
This is also shown by the anti-drug administration's data up to October, when there is a clear increase in drugs containing methamphetamine, while at the same time, cannabis seizures are also increased compared to last year. The Anti-Narcotics Service is investigating about a new drug that has not yet appeared in Cyprus and data is being studied so that drugs can be traced before they enter Cyprus, its commander, senior policeman Michalis Katssountos, spoke to us.
At the same time, according to data obtained by "F" from YKAN, this year 245 kilos of cannabis have been seized compared to 160 last year, i.e. 85 kilos more, a quantity not insignificant for an island with less than a million inhabitants.
An increase in seizures is also observed in cannabis plants, with 59 detected last year, while 190 this year. The quantities of cocaine seized this year are almost the same as last year, after 4 kg and 300g were detected in 2020, and this year 4 kg and 800g. Where, however, there is a significant increase is in methamphetamines, since last year only 190g were detected. while this year 3 kg and 700g.
Commenting on this data, the Commander of the Service Michalis Katsosounotos said that based on research and studies, it is confirmed that there has been an increased demand for stimulants and additional measures are being taken in this direction. Mr. Katsousoytos recalled the dismantling of a laboratory related to these substances and the arrest of suspects.
As far as the cases and the persons involved are concerned, the situation is approximately the same as last year, since by 31 October 2021, 740 cases had been investigated involving 813 persons, compared to 736 cases with 841 persons involved. According to the YKAN commander, this year the emphasis has been on serious cases targeting people associated with the supply of drugs rather than users, which is why several traffickers or traffickers with significant quantities of drugs in their possession have been arrested. Also, in many cases members of the Service had to be involved in road accidents with suppliers in an attempt to stop them, with minor injuries to police officers. The work of the members of the Service is difficult and continuous, but with strenuous efforts come the results and tens of kilos of drugs are found before they circulate on the streets.
Also, YKAN together with the Addictions Treatment Authority, according to Mr. Katssountos, is considering the possibility that the therapeutic program that currently covers the ages of 14 years up to 24, will be extended to persons up to 28 years old, because it has been observed that this particular age group through the analysis of statistics, is the main group that uses cannabis, that's why we want to give a boost in this direction, so that those who are aged 24-28 can join under the therapeutic program.
The multilevel efforts of YKAN do not stop at the confiscation of drugs, since in the field of prevention, which is why, after it was established that this year the main gateways for drugs are airports, ports and courier companies, a project team has been set up under the supervision of the Department of Customs to acquire modern equipment with European Union funding, to be installed in these places, in order to make the controls more effective. This equipment will allow the electronic examination of goods and other objects to determine whether they contain drugs. As was duly explained to "F", thousands of containers pass through the port of Limassol and it is impossible to check them all thoroughly to see whether drugs are being transported to them. Now there is either a random check or a check following information.
New drug causes haemorrhages
In addition to the ongoing struggle to identify drugs before they are released to young people, YKAN is deeply concerned about a new drug that fortunately has not been identified in Cyprus, but is circulating in Europe and in our region.
The prosecuting authorities have been informed by the Authority for the Treatment of Addictions and the European Drugs Observatory that synthetic drugs with foreign substances that are smoked have begun to be observed in the European market. After that, YKAN is vigilant and where suspicious preparations are found, additional analyses are requested from the State Chemical Laboratory, because these are very dangerous substances.
In fact, according to information from reports, in a neighbouring country a rat poison was found inside cannabis which is smoked and which is associated with very serious haemorrhages. So YKAN constantly monitors this issue and takes measures with checks of suspicious preparations.
Opinion awaited on hemp products
There is a lot of discussion in Cyprus and abroad about products containing cannabidiol, an ingredient in cannabis and whether they should be banned or not. These products circulate freely, bearing the name of cannabis and the characteristic leaf.
According to Mr. Katsounotos, YKAN is in co-consultation with the competent services (Pharmaceutical Services, Health Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Anti-Addiction Authority and the Legal Service) for products containing cannabidiol, because recently a decision has been issued by the Court of Justice of the European Communities, which leaves in national legislation whether or not to prohibit these products. What needs to be proven is whether damage is being done to public health and an opinion is now awaited from the Legal Service to decide on the handling of these preparations.
These products contain cannabidiol (a product of cannabis) and not tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which is a banned substance. However, it appeared abroad, after analysis, that some products contain the substance THC and some do not.
