Police arrested six people, including four minors, during intensified checks linked to Easter bonfires, after officers found dozens of fireworks, offensive weapons and drugs in a series of incidents across Cyprus.
The force said patrols and checks continued throughout yesterday and overnight in all districts as part of operations aimed at preventing the use of fireworks, the lighting of bonfires and other forms of juvenile delinquency.
During the operation, police responded to several incidents involving fires, arrested six people and seized 143 fireworks, offensive weapons and other items found in their possession. In some cases, officers also found and removed timber intended for use in bonfires, according to the statement.
In Paphos, after receiving information about fireworks being set off at around 10:00 p.m. yesterday, police found three people in the area, two of them aged 15 and the third 18. Officers said they found a total of 131 fireworks in their possession, while the 18-year-old was also carrying a knuckleduster.
All three were arrested on suspicion of possessing explosive materials, while the 18-year-old was also arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon, police said.
In the Nicosia district, police responded overnight to incidents involving fires and the use of fireworks and arrested two minors, aged 15 and 17, after officers saw them pushing a green wheelie bin loaded with wooden pallets and two plastic chairs.
According to police, the two told officers they had stolen the items from a nearby building site. Officers also found 12 fireworks in the possession of the 17-year-old.
In the Larnaca district, during coordinated operations linked to bonfire prevention measures, members of the district police division and the MMAD carried out a check in Oroklini, where a group of people had gathered and lit a fire in an open area.
Police said the young people ran from the scene when officers arrived, but a 29-year-old man who was preparing to leave in his car was stopped and searched.
The 29-year-old was arrested for flagrant offences, including possession of drugs, knife possession, possession of offensive weapons and possession of burglary tools, police said.
Officers said a search of his car uncovered two bags containing a white crystalline substance, a pipe with traces of a white substance, precision scales also bearing traces of a white substance, a half-smoked hand-rolled cigarette containing manufactured tobacco mixed with green dry plant matter, two knives, a bat with a wooden handle ending in wire, a scalpel, iron-cutting shears and a hood.
Police said they would continue targeted operations and maintain an increased presence in all districts in an effort to prevent dangerous behaviour and strengthen public safety, while urging the public to act responsibly and cooperate with the authorities.