In the last month, YKAN had discreetly monitored a specific container in which there were about 97 kilograms of cannabis and about five kilograms of cocaine.
After an operation that took place in Limassol and Paphos, four persons were arrested today and the above quantities of drugs were confiscated.
The anti-drug service is close to dismantling a large drug trafficking ring operating in Cyprus, Greece and other European countries. At noon, two Greeks and two Bulgarians were arrested in Paphos who were ready to receive a large load of drugs.
The operation started on Tuesday when officials of the Customs Department at the Port of Limassol, after information collected by YKAN, proceeded to an X-ray inspection of a container that had arrived the day before from the Port of Thessaloniki.
During the radiodiagnostic inspection of the container, it became clear that the information of YKAN was valid and the Customs officers proceeded to a physical check in the presence of YKAN members. Among other goods contained in the container were 3 inflatable toys in which they had hidden 92 nylon airtight packages with cannabis weighing more than 97 kg. 5 packages of cocaine weighing 5 kg were also found.
After the drugs were located, members of YKAN organized an operation in which they arrested in Paphos the two Greeks and the two Bulgarians who would receive the drugs. The Cyprus police have requested the assistance of the police authorities of Greece, Bulgaria and Europol since there is information that a much larger number of people are involved in the ring than those who have been arrested and that the ring is active in at least four other countries.
Regarding a case of locating and confiscating more than 100 kilograms of drugs, another 30-year-old person was arrested last night and taken into custody.
Regarding the 22-year-old, who was arrested yesterday for the same case, along with three others, after being interrogated in writing, nothing came out against him and he was released from detention.
The four arrested are expected to appear today before the Limassol District Court, for the issuance of a detention order.
Filenews - Update 1 - The Police made a new arrest last night, regarding yesterday's case of locating more than 100 kilograms of drugs.
Specifically, another 30-year-old person was arrested. Regarding the 22-year-old, who was arrested yesterday for the same case, after being interrogated in writing, nothing came out against him and he was released from custody.
Filenews Update 2 - The three suspects arrested in connection with the huge amount of drugs, which was found in a container that arrived from Thessaloniki and were hidden in three inflatable toys, were taken to detention centers for a period of eight days on Sunday (28/9).
Four people were initially arrested in connection with the case, while late on Saturday night a 30-year-old man from Paphos was also arrested. The two drivers of the truck, aged 49 and 22, from Bulgaria, who transported the cargo in question from Limassol to Paphos, were released as no testimony emerged against them.
The 61-year-old, the 47-year-old and the 30-year-old were brought before the Limassol District Court, with the YKAN examiners requesting their detention for a period of 8 days. The lawyers of the first two did not object, and the Court granted the request, ordering their detention.
On August 27, YKAN received information that the first suspect from Greece – who had also been arrested in 2018 by YKAN for a case of a large quantity of drugs, was released from prison and resumed his activities in the import and trafficking of drugs in Cyprus. According to the same information, the suspect had arrived in Cyprus and after receiving money from his Cypriot associates, he then left again for Greece.
On September 7, new information received by YKAN stated that the drugs were imported by the first suspect into Cyprus, hidden in inflatable toys of large size and weight, so that they became difficult to control. In order for the inflatables to open, more than 10 square meters and special equipment (jackhammer) are required to inflate them.
On September 22, new information was received again according to which the drugs had already been loaded from Greece and were expected to arrive within days at the port of Limassol. According to the same information, the first suspect would come to Cyprus on the evening of September 23, where he would be picked up by the third suspect, a Greek Cypriot from Paphos.
From the day of the cargo's arrival until its receipt, the members of YKAN became the shadow of the 30-year-old Greek Cypriot, who was spotted – along with the rest of the suspects – repeatedly moving from Paphos to Limassol, visiting a shipping company and other places.
The cargo in question ended up on Saturday morning in Paphos, specifically outside the house of the 2nd suspect, where he also lived. As soon as the second inflatable boat was unloaded from the truck onto the trailer, a raid was made by members of YKAN, where the first and second suspects were located, as well as both drivers — all arrested.
It should be noted that the 61-year-old, after his arrest, verbally admitted to drug possession, while the second suspect did not answer any questions, saying that he would testify at a later stage. The third was not questioned in writing.
The investigations of YKAN Limassol are at a very early stage, with the authorities looking for surveillance rings, as well as possible associates of the suspects. The examinations are expected to be extended to three provinces of Cyprus, while the assistance of the Greek authorities through Interpol will also be requested, as the drugs arrived from Thessaloniki.
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The Police arrested a 29-year-old man yesterday, to facilitate investigations into the fire, which broke out on September 26, 2025, in the area of Platres.
Shortly after 8 p.m., on September 26, two outbreaks of fire were detected, on the side of a road in Pano Platres, at a distance of about 200 meters from each other. To extinguish the fire, members of the Police, the Fire Service, the Department of Forests and citizens went to the area.
About 200 square meters of wild vegetation were burned from the first fire, while about 20 square meters of wild vegetation were burned from the second.
As part of the examinations, testimony was obtained against the 29-year-old, who was arrested under a court warrant and taken into custody to facilitate investigations. Within the day, the 29-year-old is expected to be brought before the Limassol District Court for the issuance of a detention order.
Update - Placing himself on the scene, the 29-year-old from Nepal, who was arrested in connection with the fire that broke out on September 26, 2025 in the Platres area, claims that he lit a cigarette and threw it away, but without realizing that it caused a fire. The suspect was brought before the Limassol District Court, which ordered his detention for eight days.
As philenews is informed, when interrogated, the 29-year-old places himself at the scene of the events, claiming that he was drunk, lit a cigarette and lay on a bench and smoked. Before that, he had consumed alcoholic beverages in two different places. In addition, he stated that he did not realize the moment the fire broke out. He also stated that he works in a hotel in the area.
It is recalled that shortly after 8 pm on September 26, two outbreaks of fire were found on the side of the road in Pano Platres, at a distance of about 200 meters from each other. To extinguish the fire, members of the Police, the Fire Service, the Department of Forests and citizens went to the area.
About 200 square meters of wild vegetation were burned from the first fire, while about 20 square meters were burned from the second. As part of the examinations, videos from closed surveillance circuits were obtained, in which the suspect is recorded passing through places near the outbreaks where the fires broke out.
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Filenews
Another arson action took place on Saturday night (27/9) at the Episkopi High School, causing concern in the local community. The immediate mobilization of the Fire Service of the Bases, in cooperation with the Police, contributed to the prevention of more serious damage.
However, the incident is not an isolated event. According to a post by a resident of Episkopi, the High School has been the target of arson actions four times since the beginning of the school year, i.e. in a period of just three weeks. As noted, the repeated attacks show that this is a systematic threat and not random incidents, endangering the safety of students, teachers and the school premises themselves.
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Members of the Anti-Drug Service (YKAN) searched the home of an 81-year-old man in Larnaca this morning, after evaluating information.
During the operation, two cannabis plants over three meters high, as well as a third cannabis plant, 90 cm high, were located and confiscated. A quantity of cannabis, with a gross weight of 118 grams, and a cannabis processing and drying system were also detected.
The man was arrested. Enquiries continue.
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Cyprus Police
The Police today proceeded to arrest a 57-year-old man, after finding a knife inside a bag of clothing, which he had transferred to a prisoner in police custody. At around 9.50am today, the 57-year-old visited police custody in the Famagusta district, with the aim of delivering a bag of clothing to a prisoner. During a search conducted by members of the Police, a knife with a fixed blade measuring 8.5 centimetres was found inside the bag. As a result, the 57-year-old was arrested for a flagrant offense and was taken into custody to facilitate the investigations. The 57-year-old is expected to appear before the Famagusta District Court tomorrow, for the immediate registration of a case against him. The Paralimni Police Station is investigating the case.
