Filenews 7 June 2025 - by Michalis Hatzivasilis
Unusual for the Cypriot data are the quantities of drugs detected this year by the authorities, who engage in a daily merciless war to prevent them from reaching the streets. Despite the seizures and arrests and the increased penalties imposed by the Courts, the smugglers continue their destructive work undaunted.
The profits are huge and they come back with new methods and new tactics. The Anti-Narcotics Agency (YKAN) has its eyes and ears on alert, hence this year's results with frightening quantities. Indicative of the situation is that every day the police report is full of drug cases.
According to the quantities detected in the first five months of 2025, these are equivalent to 2/3 of the quantities detected throughout 2024. This in numbers translates as follows: In five months in '25, 456 kilograms of cannabis and about 21 kilograms of cocaine were found and confiscated. Last year, the total quantities for cannabis were 617 kilograms and 54 kilograms of cocaine. As it turns out, cannabis is now one of the most widespread drugs in our country, it is widely used, hence the many drivers who are found positive in drug tests when they are submitted by the Traffic Police.
We asked the Governor of the Ministry of Health, Christos Andreou, what is attributed to this year's rapid increase in the quantities detected by the members of the Service. According to him, there are two main factors, although there are many other parameters in the equation. As Mr. Andreou said, the operations of the Ministry of Health are now targeted, that is, the data is analyzed, it is determined which are the gates where the traffickers attempt to import the drugs and the whole burden of the efforts falls on them.
As he explained, it now seems that the smugglers have turned their attention to the transport of drugs through three gates: Larnaca Airport, the Limassol port via containers and the parcel transport companies. These gates were in the past in the framework of the Ministry of Health, however, now they seem to be the most popular among traffickers, who, by the way, do not appear anywhere and use persons unknown to the Ministry of Health to transport the drugs to Cyprus.
Another main reason for the increase in the quantities identified by the Service is the fact that smugglers have become emboldened. The profits from the drug trade are huge and they are now risking trying to import large quantities through third parties in order to have increased revenues. If they fail, they come back after they have the financial comfort.
The question is whether Cyprus can "withstand" such quantities. As it seems, users have multiplied compared to previous years since supply goes with demand. Other reasons that contributed to the increase in the number of drugs seized are the cooperation with foreign services and the contribution of the Customs Department.
According to the data of the Ministry of Health, in 2023 544 kg and 180g of cannabis were seized, in 2024 617 kg and this year, 456 kg of cannabis. As for cocaine, in 2023 24 kg and 691 g were seized, in 2024 54 kg and 122 g and this year 20 kg and 651 g. For ecstasy, in '23 1,753 tablets were found and confiscated, in '24 another 696 and this year 23 tablets. For the substance THC or tetrahydrocannabinol, the data show that in '23 5,093 packages were identified, in '24 1,802 and in '25 another 2,034 packages.
It is characteristic that in the context of the cooperation of the Ministry of Customs with the Customs Department, only at Larnaca Airport, about 117 kilos of cannabis have been detected and confiscated, since the beginning of the year until today.
As for the cases investigated by the YKAN every year, they range from just over a thousand, which shows the great spread of drug possession and trafficking. In 2023, 1,095 cases were investigated with 1,151 involved, of which 689 were Cypriots and 462 foreigners. In 2024, 1,075 cases were investigated with 1,147 involved. 684 were Cypriots and 463 foreigners. This year, until May 28, 444 cases were examined with 421 people involved, of which 259 were Cypriots and 162 foreigners.
The other role of the YKAN
Another, lesser-known but equally important, role of the YKAN is its social service, which acts as the largest referral body to state treatment centers and non-governmental organizations, in the field of substance dependence. As Mr. Andreou explained, it is considered a key factor for the organization, conduct and development of the cooperation protocol that governs the procedure for the referral of young people arrested by the Cyprus Police – YKAN, to therapeutic and counselling centers. In addition, it handles requests for assistance for people who address the 1498 telephone line of the Ministry of Health as well as from other sources.
The social intervention officers of the Police Academy are graduates of the Police Academy and holders of social sciences degrees, adequately trained for the implementation of the protocol procedure and are committed to behave in an ethical manner in the exercise of their duties, in accordance with the provisions of the "Processing of Personal Data (Protection of the Individual) Law of 2001".
95 references
During the period 1/01-31/05/2025, the social intervention officers of the Ministry of Social Work had meetings with 97 people (68 served/users of addictive substances and 29 people from their family/supportive environment). Of these, 95 were referred to various treatment programs (67 served/users of addictive substances and 28 people from their family/supportive environment). Most referrals were made to Limassol (29 persons), followed by Nicosia with 20, Paphos with 17, Larnaca with 15 and Famagusta with 13. One person was referred for treatment in the province of Morphou.
Prevention officers
At the same time, the Prevention Office of the Ministry of Health undertakes the planning and implementation of universal prevention actions and events, as well as focused prevention on vulnerable groups of the population, mainly in the National Guard and secondary school students, such as the Technical School and the preparatory apprenticeship.
The actions aim to inform and raise awareness among students on the issue, as well as to empower them by developing important life skills and adopting healthy choices. In addition, the Prevention Office implements special programs, which are aimed at parents, aimed at supporting them in the development of important skills, such as conflict management, agreeing boundaries and strengthening children's self-confidence.
By May this year, 43 lectures had been given to pupils, students, soldiers, police officers, parents, teachers and service representatives, with 1,465 participants.
