Five Greek Cypriot men have been placed under eight-day detention following their arrest last Thursday in a major Larnaca CID operation targeting organised crime, drug trafficking and nightclub protection rackets.
Larnaca District Court approved the police detention orders on Monday for the suspects aged 42, 22, 31, 29 and 29, rejecting objections raised by their lawyers during Friday’s proceedings.
The court said there was reasonable suspicion of the offences being committed and reasonable suspicion of the five suspects’ involvement in the case.
The men face charges including participation in a criminal organisation, conspiracy to commit a felony, extortion with threats, blackmail and money laundering from illegal activities.
National Guard soldier’s phone unlocks investigation
The alleged criminal network began unravelling after police examined the mobile phones of a 22-year-old contract soldier in the National Guard, who is facing trial for the attempted murder of a 47-year-old businessman on 31 July.
The businessman is also under detention for interference in judicial proceedings related to a shooting incident in central Larnaca on Saturday, 17 January.
Videos found on the soldier’s phones depicted various incidents from 2023 to 2025, in which he allegedly displays large cash amounts and conceals objects believed to be drug quantities.
42-year-old alleged ringleader
Police identified the 42-year-old as the head of the criminal group, with the network including the National Guard soldier, the 42-year-old’s 29-year-old brother, a 31-year-old man and another 29-year-old.
According to police information presented to the court, the 42-year-old belongs to a criminal organisation active in Larnaca that controls the trafficking of large drug quantities. The 22-year-old soldier allegedly delivered the drugs, with the 42-year-old receiving the proceeds.
The 42-year-old is also alleged to head a criminal organisation providing protection to nightclubs in Larnaca. One video found on the defendant’s mobile shows him displaying cash from a collection at a specific nightclub in the Makenzie area.
Financial checks on the suspects revealed their declared earnings did not match their assets, the court heard.
Rival gangs battling for control
The court was told that “all the above is confirmed by recent events in Larnaca city, where a rival criminal organisation, members of which are under arrest for other offences, are trying to prevail in the city by taking control of the protection provision to nightclubs operating in the city”.
Larnaca CID investigations continue, with nightclub owners expected to be called to give statements. Police are examining the suspects’ mobile phones, bulletproof vests and two cars allegedly involved in the offences under investigation.