Filenews 22 January 2022 - by Michalis Hadjivasilis
A 1,300% spurt in the amounts of methamphetamine, a highly dangerous drug, was recorded in 2021, with the Anti-Narcotics Agency mobilizing to remove these substances from the "market."
According to YKAN data, last year 3,742 grams of methamphetamine, the well-known crystal ice, were seized last year, compared to only 277 g. in 2020. Parenthetically it is reported that a dose of crystal ice consists of 0.1-0.2 gr. This sharp increase is attributed, according to the commander of YKAN Michalis Katsounotos, to the targeting of traffickers and analysis of data, in relation to the routes of drugs and the place of their production.
In his statements to "F", Mr. Katsounotos characterized crystal ice as a toxic and extremely dangerous stimulant substance, which seems to be gaining ground according to the studies and researches of the Cyprus Addictions Authority, "but also the statistics of YKAN and puts us in mobilization".
Another novel element that YKAN pointed out, for the past year, is the on-site production of drugs, mainly due to the pandemic and the difficulties for smugglers to bring in drugs through other routes. According to information from "F", the manufacture of drugs has been observed possibly in the occupied territories, which are then channelled to the free areas. Also, last year a methamphetamine laboratory was dismantled, which worries the authorities.
As far as cases are concerned, 861 were investigated in 2021 compared to 853 in 2020, while the persons involved for '20 were 986 and last year 942, a decrease of 5%.
With regard to seizures - For 2020, 212 kilos of cannabis were seized and in '21 they reached 240, an increase of 13.3%. As for the cannabis plants that uprooted members of YKAN, last year it was 190 and in 2020 70, an increase of 271%. As YKAN estimates, due to the pandemic and transport difficulties, there has been a shift in local cannabis production. As for the drug "Mykonos sleeping" last year 1,682 gr. compared to no quantity in 2020. Also last year, new synthetic and stimulating drugs (making magic mushrooms) appeared. As far as cocaine is concerned, last year 5,510 g were seized. compared to 4,942 g, an increase of 11.69%. Also, last year, 90 people aged 14-24 were referred to rehabilitation programs.
