Wednesday, January 22, 2025

CRIME ROUND UP

 Pafos Press 22 January 2025



New search operations in stores in Nicosia and Paphos, where controlled pharmaceutical and narcotics products were identified and seized, were carried out by members of the Police, in collaboration with officials from the Ministry of Health.

The coordinated search operations were carried out on Monday and Tuesday, January 20-21, in two stores, as part of an investigation into information regarding the circulation of medicines without a license from the competent Authority. Members of the Intellectual Property Theft and Illegal Betting Offenses Branch, the Electronic Crime Sub-Directorate, the Drug Enforcement Service - Nicosia and Paphos, as well as officers from the Pharmaceutical and Health Services, of the Ministry of Health, participated in the searches.

A total of 244 packages of products believed to contain the substance cannabidiol – CBD, for which there was no marketing authorization, were found in the two stores. They were seized for further examination, with the Nicosia Central Police Station and the Paphos Central Police Station investigating the two cases.

In the store in Paphos, 43 packages of products believed to contain the substance tetrahydrocannabinol - THC were also found and seized for testing by the YKAN (Paphos Police Station).  

It is recalled that products containing cannabidiol – CBD, are classified as pharmaceutical products and their marketing requires the issuance of a marketing authorization. Any commercial activity, including wholesale and sale to the public, without the required licenses, is prohibited.

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Filenews

The ICF of Larnaca proceeded to the arrest of a 32-year-old foreigner, resident of Larnaca, in connection with two cases of robberies of distributors.

During his arrest, a vehicle key was found, which had been stolen from Nicosia on January 4. After searches, the car was found within walking distance of his home. The vehicle, according to preliminary examinations, is linked to the one used by the perpetrators in the robbery of a delivery man in Tersephanou.

The suspect will appear tomorrow before the Larnaca District Court for a detention order. As for the 18-year-old from Syria who is in custody, today he will appear again before the court for the renewal of his detention. It is noted that another 18-year-old is wanted in the case.

It is recalled that the first robbery was committed against a 21-year-old delivery man in the early morning of last Tuesday, January 7, in the center of Larnaka. The 21-year-old said that while delivering food to an unknown person, a second person approached him and pointed a knife at him. At the same time, a third person allegedly stole his moped, his mobile phone, as well as a sum of money. Shortly after 9 p.m. on the same day, three people attacked a 22-year-old food delivery man in Tersephanou. According to police, while the 22-year-old had parked his motorcycle, he was approached by three unknown persons. The attackers, who had their faces covered with balaclavas, threatened the delivery man, one with a gun and the other two with knives and managed to extort a sum of money, his motorcycle keys, as well as a mobile phone.

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One by one, serious cases that dealt with the Cyprus Police and the investigators of the Crime Detection Departments (ICFs) of various cities are withdrawn from court. While the police are called upon to deal with serious incidents, such as homicides, attempted murders and drug cases, it seems that cases that have been thoroughly investigated and for which significant time was spent, end up on file.

In addition to valuable time, public money is also wasted, as in many cases defendants are represented through legal aid. At the same time, these cases are also of concern to the representatives of the Public Prosecutor's Office, who, despite the preparatory work they have done, are forced to withdraw them.

Typical is the kidnapping case that was suspended by the Attorney General last Friday, which was referred for trial before the Limassol Assize Court. The Syrian defendant was acquitted of the charges after the complainant and key witness in the case told the Assize Court that he did not wish to testify.

Yesterday, another serious case that was due to be heard before the Assize Court was closed. This is the attack with hot oil on a Syrian man by his compatriots, during a dispute they had over the rent of their apartment.

The victim suffered third-degree burns on various parts of his body, however, during yesterday's proceedings he appeared in the dock and stated that he did not want criminal proceedings against the accused. Despite questions from the prosecution, he said he had not received any threats.

Similar incidents are recorded in cases involving domestic violence. Despite complaints from several complainants against their partners and/or husbands, in the end, they end up dropping the charges when the cases reach the stage of hearing before the courts.

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The 61-year-old, who was arrested on Monday to facilitate investigations into an ongoing case of dog abuse and mistreatment, was released without charge, according to the Office of the Communication Branch of the Police Headquarters.

The 61-year-old was questioned and released without charge, while the 30-year-old dog owner was also arrested in the same case on Friday night, but he too was released on Sunday without charge. Police are waiting for the results of scientific tests.

According to the history of the case, the dog was accidentally spotted by a woman in a trash can in Peyia, who then proceeded to file the complaint on Friday night.

The animal is still hospitalized in a veterinary clinic.

Police examinations are ongoing.

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In a furious state, the car driver verbally attacked a delivery man, demanding from him €400 as compensation for damage caused, according to him, to his vehicle.

The foreign distributor, despite the attack he received, did not react. As seen in the video, before leaving the scene, the driver grabs the delivery man's mobile phone, hits him in the face and disappears. The incident took place in the centre of Limassol and specifically on Ellados Street. Police, for its part, are investigating assault and theft offenses against the driver.

At the same time, the traffic accident that seems to have preceded it, causing the alleged damage to the vehicle, is also being examined.