Russian and Cypriot Detained at Larnaca Airport Over Undeclared Luxury Goods

Two passengers — a Russian and a Cypriot — were detained at Larnaca Airport after customs officers discovered undeclared luxury items worth over €47,000.

According to a police statement, the incidents occurred on April 27 and 29, when customs officials at Larnaca Airport stopped passengers arriving from Basel, Switzerland, for inspection.

During the luggage check on April 27, officers found a luxury watch worth €22,000 in the possession of the Russian passenger. The item had not been declared for customs clearance. The watch was initially confiscated but later returned after the passenger paid €1,830 as an out-of-court settlement. He also paid €4,180 in duties and taxes, along with an additional €418 in financial penalties.

On April 29, a search of the Cypriot passenger’s luggage revealed a luxury watch and a designer handbag with a combined value of €25,984. These, too, had not been declared.

The items were seized but later returned once the passenger paid €1,700 as part of an out-of-court settlement, plus €5,046 in duties and taxes and a €504 financial penalty.