Customs officers seized thousands of untaxed cigarettes and 80 litres of fuel in three separate incidents at crossing points from the occupied areas to the government-controlled areas earlier this month.
On 6 February 2026, officers from the Customs Department at the Ledra Street crossing selected a French national for inspection during routine checks of individuals crossing into the free areas. A search of the traveller’s luggage uncovered 20 cartons containing 200 cigarettes each. The packets did not bear the required health warnings in Greek and Turkish, indicating they were duty-free.
The individual was arrested for offences committed in flagrante, and the cigarettes were confiscated. He was later released after his proposal for an out-of-court settlement was accepted, paying €800.
On 12 February 2026, at the Agios Dometios crossing, customs officers stopped a vehicle driven by a Cypriot woman as part of routine checks. A search revealed 30 cartons of heated tobacco products, each containing 200 sticks, again without the mandatory health warnings in Greek and Turkish, indicating they were untaxed.
The driver was arrested for offences committed in flagrante. The tobacco products and the vehicle were seized. She was later released after agreeing to an out-of-court settlement of €900, plus an additional €300 for the return of her vehicle.
In a third case on 15 February 2026, again at the Agios Dometios crossing, officers searched a vehicle driven by a Cypriot national and found five plastic containers holding a total of 80 litres of petrol, in breach of the Green Line Regulation.
The fuel was confiscated, and the driver agreed to an out-of-court settlement, paying €400.
