Politis

Large Cigarette Seizure at Paphos Airport Leads to Four-Day Detention

Published January 25, 2026, 10:14
Large Cigarette Seizure at Paphos Airport Leads to Four-Day Detention

A significant quantity of cigarettes was seized by the Customs Department at Paphos Airport, resulting in the four-day detention of two individuals. A Turkish Cypriot and a Bulgarian national were arrested after authorities discovered thousands of cigarettes in their luggage lacking the required health warnings in Greek and Turkish, indicating smuggling. The Turkish Cypriot was found to have 72 cartons of cigarettes, while the Bulgarian had 87 cartons and 12 packs. The two individuals were arrested on the spot, and their luggage was confiscated. The Paphos Customs Office is conducting the investigation. The Paphos court issued a four-day detention order to facilitate the investigative process. This seizure is part of the Customs Department's ongoing efforts to combat smuggling and ensure compliance with tax and health regulations.