ABUNDANT FEVER - 75 YEAR OLD UNDER THE MICROSCOPE FOR TRANSPORTING HAY FROM OCCUPIED TERRITORIES - Filenews 27/2
Information about possible illegal trafficking of hay and feed from the occupied territories is being investigated by the Customs Department in cooperation with the Police. As stated by the Spokesman of the Customs Department, Giorgos Konstantinou, the information "concerns the trafficking by a 75-year-old", who a few days ago was involved in the illegal trafficking of tobacco products from the occupied areas.
In his statements, Mr. Konstantinou initially referred to the case of illegal trafficking of tobacco products by the specific 75-year-old last Wednesday in the area of Dali, noting that the Customs Department had taken over the case, after the Police, proceeding to the out-of-court settlement with the payment of €13,000.
"Yesterday, around noon, we had received an anonymous information to the Customs Department regarding the possible involvement of the person in question, the 75-year-old, for frequent smuggling of products to and from the occupied areas from unapproved crossing points," he said and noted that the information, among other things, stated that "the 75-year-old is likely to be transporting both hay and feed".
"That is why we were deeply alarmed and informed the Police yesterday to take coordinated actions for the investigation, to see whether the information is true in the first place and then, if we can link it with a possible spread of foot-and-mouth disease from the occupied areas to the free ones," he said.
Mr. Konstantinou clarified that at the moment what exists is a piece of information and a speculation, as there is nothing confirmed. Therefore, this is what we will try to investigate in the coming days in cooperation with the other competent authorities," he said.
Initially, Mr. Konstantinou then said, if it is confirmed that the 75-year-old has illegally transported feed and hay from the occupied territories, any evidence that connects these products with the spread of the virus should be collected.
Asked how long this process will last, he said that some time should be given, as it is somewhat difficult from receiving the information to interconnecting it so that it becomes witness material.
"It takes time, it takes a lot of effort and we will do everything possible to carry it out," he concluded.
