Filenews 9 September 2025
A cache with weapons and large quantities of drugs was found after a large operation by the TAE Larnaca in a warehouse in the province of Nicosia. According to the Police, the searches in a prefabricated property in Kokkinotrimitha, which are related to the case of the attempted murder and arson of 4 vehicles of a rental company on the beach of Pyla on August 14, in addition to the stolen car, brought to light a large amount of class A controlled drug, a number of firearms, an air gun and other items which are being evaluated.
Specifically, according to the Police, 2.170 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 34 grams of cocaine, four pistols, an air rifle with a viewfinder, a number of 9 mm calibre cartridges and a number of loaded cartridge cases were found.
The stolen car used in the commission of the reported offenses was located in an open area. It was received for scientific examinations and a number of items were found within it which were also received for scientific and other examinations. It is noted that the warehouse in question seems to have been used by the criminal network of persons from Syria who were arrested and it is possible that it will lead to other criminal acts committed recently.
The focus is on four criminal acts committed in July and August in Larnaca (attempted murder of a 49-year-old man in Pyla, attempted murder of a 47-year-old man in Industrial Dromolaxia, shooting at a 25-year-old woman's vehicle in Oroklini and arson of a 42-year-old car, in Aradippou). It is noted that one of the 17-year-olds arrested is also accused of setting fire to a vehicle in June of a person known to the authorities. The minor had, in fact, been released, conditionally, by the Court.
It is recalled that so far the Police have arrested five persons from Syria for the criminal act, which seems to have been organized by the Central Prisons, three of whom are alleged to be the perpetrators. They are a 23-year-old who is suspected of arson the vehicles, a 17-year-old who is alleged to be the person who shot at the security guard of the premises, a 17-year-old who is believed to have been driving the vehicle, a 27-year-old who allegedly handed it over to the perpetrators, as well as a 44-year-old convict in the Central Prison.
The case does not seem to be closed here, since it is possible that there will be other arrests, as stated yesterday by the head of the TAE Larnaca, Giorgos Charalambous. However, it is believed that in relation to the criminal act of Pyla, most of the pieces in the puzzle, which is related to organized crime, were completed, motivated, as estimated, by settling accounts.
The end of the thread was found when an 18-year-old from Romania was accidentally arrested on August 22 in Paphos, who is alleged to be the person who stole the green saloon car that the perpetrators were driving from Kolossi on August 13. The young man reportedly admitted that he sold two stolen cars to the 27-year-old from Syria, who, as he told him, would be used "in some jobs", which the 44-year-old convict wanted to do. It is noted that the 18-year-old was released for the Pyla case and arrested for others related to car thefts.
On August 26, the TAE Larnaca handcuffed the 27-year-old from Syria after an operation in Anavargo, Paphos. The suspect allegedly arranged, following the instructions of the 44-year-old convict, the purchase and sale of the stolen vehicle, which he handed over to the three perpetrators at a meeting held in Paphos a few hours before the criminal act.
The 44-year-old convict, who is serving a short prison sentence for a case of assault and stabbing in Limassol, was then arrested and a mobile phone was found in his cell. In the last 24 hours, moreover, the Police handcuffed the 23-year-old and the two 17-year-olds who are in eight-day detention.
Under the microscope of the investigators of the case is a screenshot from a closed circuit surveillance, found on the mobile phone of the 27-year-old who is in custody, which depicts the place where the purchase and sale of the car took place as well as the three perpetrators. In addition, the contents of a total of 7 mobile phones are being investigated, while examinations are also being carried out on clothes and other evidence taken from the homes of the arrested.
It is noted that yesterday and today, after voluntary statements secured by the Police, scenes were indicated, under draconian security measures, both in Paphos and in Pyla.
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As part of the actions to combat illegal and undeclared employment, a coordinated operation was carried out this morning by the Larnaca Fire & Rescue Unit, with the participation of members of the Police Headquarters, the Nicosia, Limassol, Famagusta and Paphos Health & Rescue Units, as well as members of the Green Line Surveillance and Response to Migration Flows Sub-Directorate.
Officials of the Inspection Service of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance also participated in the operation.
During the operation in an apartment building under construction in the province of Larnaca, a total of 33 people were checked, of which 8 foreigners were found to be working illegally and were arrested.
The arrested were employed by four different employers, one of them was located at the construction site and arrested, while the other three, who were not present, were summoned and presented themselves at the Oroklini Police Station for examination of the case.
At the same time, officials of the Inspection Service found violations related to undeclared work and non-implementation of the legislation of the Provident Fund.
For the violations, 7 notices were issued for a total amount of €52,000.
The Police, in cooperation with the competent Services, will continue the targeted checks with the aim of cracking down on illegal and undeclared employment.
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Two possible cases of arson are being investigated by the Police in Limassol and Nicosia.
Specifically, shortly after 3 in the morning, information was received about a fire in a car in Agios Dometios, which was extinguished by members of the Fire Service.
The vehicle is owned by a 57-year-old woman and at first glance it seems to have been placed maliciously.
The TAE of Nicosia continues the examinations.
In the second case, 15 minutes after 3 in the morning, a fire was noticed in a car parked outside the house of its 37-year-old owner in the area of Limassol.
The fire was extinguished by a neighbour, however the vehicle suffered extensive damage.
Further examinations will be carried out at the first light of day.
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As part of the investigation of a case of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder and illegal possession of a firearm and explosives (14/08/2025), members of the Police proceeded yesterday by virtue of a court warrant to arrest a 22-year-old man.
The arrest of the 22-year-old was preceded by a search of his home in the province of Nicosia, in which members of TAE and OPE Larnaca, TAE and YKAN Nicosia participated, where the following were located and received:
- Four pistols, three of which had a loaded magazine,
- An additional magazine with bullets,
- Folding bat,
- Device that looks like a mobile phone,
- An air rifle.
From further investigation, two nylon zip lock packages, with a white crystalline substance, with a total gross weight of 2 kilograms and 89 grams, which is believed to be methamphetamine, were found in a cardboard shoe box.
In another room of the house, the following were also found:
- Nylon packaging with about 80 grams of crystal substance (similar to methamphetamine),
- Nylon package with about 46 grams of white powder (similar to cocaine).
The 22-year-old is expected to be brought before the Nicosia District Court today for the issuance of a detention order.
The case is being investigated by the TAE and the YKAN (Unit) of Nicosia.
It is noted that the 22-year-old was already under arrest and eight-day detention for the Larnaca case (14/08/2025) from 3/09/2025.
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As part of an investigation into a case of possession of drugs and explosives that occurred on 25/05/2025 in the province of Limassol, the Police proceeded to arrest another person.
This is a 46-year-old man, who was arrested yesterday by virtue of a court warrant and taken into custody.
Today he is expected to be brought before the Limassol District Court, for the issuance of a detention order.
It is recalled that in the context of a coordinated operation, members of YKAN Limassol, proceeded on 25/05/2025, to a search of premises, vehicles and a boat in Limassol.
During the investigations, a quantity of cannabis with a total gross weight of 540 grams, a scale, four crushers, 31 full cartridges of 7.65mm and 9mm calibers, and the total amount of €120,105 were found and confiscated. For the above found, five persons were arrested.
YKAN (Limassol Unit) continues the examinations.
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A group of young people attacked a private guard of the Third Primary School of Ypsonas last night. The Police were informed about the incident, who rushed to the place for on-site examinations. The guard, according to the school superintendent of the school, Christina Tryfonos, was attacked with gas canisters, as a result of which he was transported by ambulance to the Hospital, suffering burns to his face.
As Ms. Tryfonos told Filenews, the incident took place around 9 to 9:30 on Monday night, when the young people entered the school premises, specifically the mini football field located inside the school premises.
The private guard tried to remove them, with the young men chasing him. Subsequently, the perpetrators threw lit gas canisters in his face, causing burns.
In his statements to Filenews, the president of the West Limassol School Board, Herodotos Neophytou, said that the issue of vandalism in schools has gotten out of hand.
"Tonight's episode is an assassination attempt. We are not just talking about an incident, the man suffered second-degree burns to the face. They went to kill him. The Police should assume their responsibilities. There is enough evidence to identify the perpetrators."
As Mr. Neophytou noted, last week there was vandalism at the Ypsonas High School and now the situation has gotten out of hand. "The parents of the offenders and the Police are responsible. What are they waiting for? Should we mourn victims?", he said.
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The 46-year-old arrested yesterday in connection with the drug case that unfolded on May 25, 2025 where a quantity of 440 grams of cannabis, a scale, four crushers, 31 full cartridges of 7,65 mm and 9 mm calibers, as well as a sum of €120105 were found, was taken into custody for a period of three days. The evidence was found in a café and in an apartment located above it, on Franklin Roosevelt Street in Zakaki.
The suspect was brought before the Limassol District Court today for a request for detention, with his lawyer Katia Pieroudi not objecting.
As Filenews is informed, from the examinations carried out on the evidence of the case and specifically from the report of the Institute of Genetics, the suspect's genetic material was scientifically linked to drug bags. At the same time, genetic material was identified with two more persons, who are wanted.
The 46-year-old, according to the same information, went to the Germasogeia Police Station yesterday to sign his presence, since he is accused of another case. There they handcuffed him.
Interrogated by members of YKAN Limassol, he denied any involvement in the drug case.
It is recalled that three more persons are on trial for the same case, who were referred to a direct trial before the Permanent Criminal Court of Limassol.
The defendants face the offenses of conspiracy to commit a felony, illegal possession of cannabis, possession for the purpose of supplying a third person, illegal possession of explosives and money laundering.
