Police are investigating a 25-year-old motorcyclist in Famagusta district for negligent and reckless acts, drug possession and serious traffic offences, after he was arrested for flagrant offences when a police officer was injured during a traffic stop yesterday.
Shortly after 11:30 am, members of the Special Motorcycle Unit (EOMO) of the Traffic Department at Police Headquarters were carrying out a check at the Paralimni-Deryneia roundabout when they spotted the 25-year-old riding without a protective helmet and signalled for him to stop.
The 25-year-old accelerated and changed direction, and under circumstances that are still being investigated, one of the officers was struck by the motorcycle and injured in the hand. The motorcycle then collided with a parked car and came to a stop at the scene.
Police searched the 25-year-old and found a grinder with traces of plant material believed to be cannabis in the storage compartment under the motorcycle’s driver’s seat.
He was given a breath test for alcohol, which recorded a reading of 21 against the permitted limit of up to 9 μg%, and also tested positive in a preliminary drug-driving test. He was arrested for flagrant offences.
The 25-year-old was taken to Famagusta General Hospital, where he was examined and discharged. The injured officer was also examined at the hospital and discharged.
Once police investigations were complete, the 25-year-old was released, to be summoned at a later stage before court over criminal offences and traffic violations. He was served with a letter suspending his driving licence.
Paralimni Police Station and YKAN, the Famagusta district branch of the Drugs Squad, continue investigations.