in-cyprus 8 January 2025 - by Fanis Makrides
Police fired shots at three vehicles attempting to cross through the buffer zone on Monday night, in what authorities suspect was a people smuggling operation involving approximately 15 migrants.
Three police officers were injured during the incident near Potamia, when the vehicles tried to break through into government-controlled areas, leading to a collision with a police car.
The incident occurred in what officials describe as a critical security area – a triangle between Potamia, Louroujina and Dali – known to be frequently used by smugglers, poachers and criminal networks.
“We are investigating the possibility that these were migrant smugglers,” police spokesperson Kyriaki Lambrianidou told Phileleftheros newspaper.
According to police reports, one of the vehicles, believed to be driven by a Greek Cypriot, was a rental car acting as a guide for the other two vehicles. CCTV footage suggests the same vehicles had been used recently for criminal activities in the area.
The drivers attempted to ram police officers who had left their vehicle during the attempted stop, prompting officers to fire at the vehicles’ tyres. All three vehicles managed to escape back into the buffer zone.
The police union ISOTITA described the incident as “another ‘ordinary’ night for uninsured security forces members who receive no hazard pay. Attempted murder against them occurs almost daily.”
Blind spot
The area, which lies between Republic of Cyprus-controlled territory and the occupied north, has been used for various illegal activities including drug trafficking, weapons smuggling, animal trade and the movement of stolen goods, according to authorities. Recent police operations have targeted fuel and meat smuggling attempts through the area into Republic-controlled territory.
A case in July 2018 led to the arrest of a 23-year-old armed man carrying a loaded firearm. The suspect later confessed to repeatedly crossing between the occupied areas and Republic of Cyprus-controlled territory between April and July 2018, conducting a series of armed robberies targeting petrol stations, car dealerships, and a café-restaurant.
“Within 50 metres, you can move between the Republic of Cyprus and the occupied areas,” said a source with knowledge of the situation. “Multiple access roads provide criminals with easy movement options. Most crucially, there’s a complete lack of control in the area.”
The source said that UN peacekeepers patrol the area every three hours on a predictable schedule well-known to criminals.
