Drugs traffickers handed prison sentences

Prison sentences totalling more than 18 years were imposed on Tuesday on three men convicted in two separate drug trafficking cases.

In Limassol, the permanent criminal court sentenced a 32-year-old man to nine years’ imprisonment and a 26-year-old man to three and a half years after finding them guilty of offences linked to the possession and trafficking of drugs.

In a separate case, the permanent criminal court in Larnaca imposed a six-year prison sentence on a 31-year-old man for importing and possessing drugs.

The Limassol case stemmed from a police operation carried out on August 3, 2025 when officers searched a residence and discovered approximately 9kg of cannabis and 52g of cocaine.

During the same operation, police also seized 1,001 firecrackers, with the 32-year-old occupant arrested on the same day.

As the investigation progressed, police arrested the 26-year-old also accused on October 30, 2025.

The court heard that the quantities of drugs involved clearly pointed to trafficking rather than personal use, a factor that weighed heavily in sentencing.

Police said the investigation into the same case led to the arrest of three additional suspects, aged 26 and 30, while two more men, aged 27 and 36, remain wanted in connection with the offences. Inquiries are continuing.

The second case concerned the interception of drugs at Larnaca airport on October 3, 2025.

The 31-year-old defendant was stopped by customs officers on arrival from abroad after intelligence was received.

A search of his luggage revealed 1,072kg of cannabis.

Later the same day, officers carried out a search of the man’s home, where they found and seized an additional 57g of cannabis resin.

Prosecutors told the court that the coordinated action between police and customs was part of ongoing efforts to identify and disrupt drug importation routes into Cyprus.

Both cases were investigated by the drugs squad (Ykan) in Limassol and Larnaca.

Police said the sentences reflected the seriousness with which the courts’ view offences involving large quantities of narcotics and the organised distribution of drugs.