Filenews 22 January 2026
The targeted preventive operations of the Police continued during last night, with an enhanced presence in key points of urban areas, with the aim of preventing serious criminal acts, protecting citizens and ensuring public order.
As part of these operations, members of the Police identified and arrested a total of seven persons for various offenses. Specifically, in Nicosia, one person was arrested for a case of illegal possession of drugs and causing malicious damage, as well as one person for driving under the influence of alcohol. In Larnaca, one person was arrested for traffic offenses, while in Paphos four persons were arrested for illegal possession of drugs, illegal stay on the territory of the Republic of Cyprus, common assault and failure to appear before a Court.
During the night, more than 346 vehicles were stopped for inspection, while more than 80 persons in them were checked. At the same time, 26 inspections of premises were carried out, with the aim of preventing and suppressing delinquent behaviours.
From the traffic checks carried out, 124 complaints related to various traffic violations emerged. A total of 76 alcohol tests were carried out on vehicle drivers, from which 7 complaints emerged. At the same time, as part of the investigation of traffic offenses, three vehicles were detained.
Update - from Pafos Live - As part of these operations, members of the Police located and arrested four persons in Paphos for:
- illegal possession of drugs;**
- illegal stay in the territory of the Republic of Cyprus,
- joint attack,
- and non-appearance before a Court.
During the control that followed, the 24-year-old was found in possession of cannabis weighing about 2 grams, cocaine also weighing about 2 grams and one gram of methamphetamine.
The 24-year-old was arrested for a flagrante delicto offense and then a search carried out by YKAN in the apartment where he lives in Paphos, the following were found in various places carefully hidden:
- 804 captagon tablets
- 874 grams of methamphetamine (crystal)
- 11 ecstasy tablets
- 193 grams of cocaine
- 2 grams of amphetamine
- 144 grams of cannabis
- 48 grams of cannabis resin
- €3,515
It should be noted that the 24-year-old was driving the car without a driver's license and without a safety certificate, while in a preliminary drug test the indication was positive.
The arrested person was taken into custody while YKAN in cooperation with the Paphos Traffic Police continue the examinations.
Update 2 - The Paphos District Court issued an eight-day detention order against the 24-year-old Syrian who was arrested with a large amount of drugs in his possession.
Both the type of drugs, as well as the money and other items found in his residence, show according to the authorities that the foreigner is a member of a ring that trades and sells drugs, which is why the case is considered very important.
The dismantling of the ring began last night, when after evaluating evidence, members of the Police stopped a car driven by the 24-year-old and parked in a parking lot in Paphos for a check. During the control that followed, the 24-year-old was found in possession of cannabis weighing about 2 grams, cocaine also weighing about 2 grams and one gram of methamphetamine.
The arrested person was brought before the Paphos District Court which ordered his eight-day detention, while YKAN and Paphos Traffic Police continue the examinations.
An MP is included among the people who denounce Ioanna Fotiou, known as Annie Alexui. A total of 13 arrest warrants were issued against her both in Cyprus and in Europe following complaints mainly by officers of the Paphos Police Department, to whom she occasionally referred by name in relation to various cases.
Information from the Police to Filenews states that among those who have filed a complaint against the 43-year-old from Paphos, is the MP of DISY Paphos Charalambos Pazaros. Complaints against Annie Alexui have also been filed by the former Paphos Police Director Nikos Tsappis, the current Paphos Assistant Police Director, Michalis Nikolaou, the Assistant Chief of Border Protection Michalis Katsounotos, officer K. Kleanthous, another sergeant serving in Paphos, two officers of the Larnaca Police Department, Limassol officers and two citizens. It is clarified that no person complained or filed a complaint from the Legal Service.
A total of 13 European arrest warrants have been issued against her, as announced by the Police, to facilitate investigations regarding investigated offenses related to the Law on the Processing of Personal Data, Publication of Fake News and Harassment, committed between January - October, 2025, in Paphos. The case file had been in the Legal Service since October, but recently actions were taken to make a decision, so the procedures for the issuance of warrants against her were initiated.
According to our information, the people who filed a complaint against her do not seem to be members of the Government, while she ironically states to the Police that she lives in Paphos at a specific address, while in fact she has fled to Russia.
Annie Alexui, after the Police announced that she was wanted, responded with a video, stating that the warrants were issued some time ago and she was aware, noting that they have now come to light because her posts have resonance and take on dimensions, since they have tens of thousands of views. The 43-year-old often deals with the underworld and crime in her videos, attacking the Police.
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As part of the evaluation of information received by the Nicosia Crime Prevention Squad, a search was carried out today at a house and premises in the province of Nicosia, according to a Police announcement.
During the search, which was carried out in the presence of the 69-year-old owner of the house and premises, 124 boxes of heated cigarettes, 1128 boxes of cigarettes of various brands, and 3675 grams of tobacco for cigarettes were located and confiscated.
The 69-year-old was arrested for a flagrante delicto, and then transported along with what was found, to the offices of the Nicosia Customs Department for further investigation of the case.
The arrested person is expected to appear before the Nicosia District Court tomorrow, for detention purposes.
