Tension prevails in the Maroni area of Larnaca district, in the wake of the successful police operation on Friday, September 26, to crack down on poaching and illegal hunting of wild birds. The next day, Saturday, September 27, unknown persons with hoods allegedly threatened members of the Non-Governmental Organization CABS (Committee Against Bird Slaughter), which has been active in Cyprus for the last week to protect migratory birds.

The operation took place in a house and fenced field owned by a 55-year-old man, where a large number of trapped birds and prohibited equipment were found. Specifically, the Police located and confiscated seven set trapping nets, three additional nets in bags, eight loudspeakers, four imitation bird sound players, five car batteries and 63 dead vine birds, while 343 live birds were released on the spot.

However, according to CABS, this operation was the exception to the rule. CABS complains that for years an uncontrolled gang of poachers has been active in the isolated valley of the area, without substantial intervention by the Cypriot authorities. As reported, despite numerous reports, "the police organize a single visit at the end of each period of entrapment, confiscating a symbolic net."

It is noted that the complaint with the "symbolic network" was made last Thursday, however where no one expected it, the Police set up a large operation the next day, locating and confiscating a large number of documents.

CABS speaks of up to 30,000 dead birds per year in this area and an illegal turnover of more than 180,000 euros. The last action of the organization under the name began on the same day as the major police operation, and was accompanied by a live broadcast on social media, in the presence of British BBC presenters Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin.

According to CABS, a few hours after their presence in the area, trappers allegedly freed the birds themselves from the nets in order to eliminate clues, while the police were informed but did not take any further action. The organization complained that in the past its members have received threats, while an explosive device was placed in a vehicle of the group, causing damage.

On Saturday, September 27, one day after the police operation, unknown persons with covered faces appeared at the activists' place of action and threatened them, as they report through social networks and in a post on Instagram. "Don't you dare come back," the hooded men reportedly said, according to testimonies recorded in the video posted on Packham's profile, which has sparked strong comments and reactions from the public.

The organization is now asking for immediate and substantial protection from the Cypriot authorities, both for its members and for the fauna of the area, stressing that impunity strengthens the activity of poachers.

The presence of international personalities, such as the two BBC presenters, has brought global attention to the issue, with Cyprus now under the microscope for its management of organised wildlife crime.

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The arrest of an 81-year-old grandfather in the province of Larnaca, in the yard of whose house a drug plantation was found, as well as a cannabis drainage system, believed to have been available to other persons, has caused a sensation. The incredible thing is that the elderly man, who is Greek Cypriot, was again employed by YKAN when he again cultivated large quantities of cannabis at home. In the last five years, in fact, he was convicted twice by the Larnaca District Court and fined for cultivating quantities of cannabis.

The suspect was arrested yesterday morning for the third time at his home in Dromolaxia, after a raid by members of the Larnaca Anti-Drug Service. The members of YKAN identified two cannabis plants, more than three meters high, as well as a third cannabis plant 90 cm high, which had been planted in a pot. A quantity of cannabis, with a gross weight of 118 grams, and a cannabis processing and drying system were also found.

According to information from Filenews, the suspect claimed that he was growing cannabis for his own use, however the amount found refers to drug trafficking. YKAN is looking for possible associates of the pensioner, as well as the person who supplied him with the seeds. The 81-year-old's mobile phone is under the microscope, while it is being investigated whether a relative of his is also involved in the case.

The elderly man was brought before the Larnaca District Court in the morning, which ordered his detention for a period of six days. He is suspected of conspiracy to commit a felony, illegal cultivation of cannabis plants for the purpose of supplying other people and illegal possession of drugs.

The 81-year-old was arrested again by YKAN in October 2022 when his home was searched. At that time, two plastic bags containing foliage and cannabis branches of about 1.5 kilograms, as well as a quantity of marijuana with a gross weight of 100 grams, were found in a room. In the yard of his house, moreover, two cannabis plants 80 and 150 cm high were found planted in pots. The first time the elderly man was arrested was at the age of 76 (in 2020), when he again cultivated quantities of cannabis.