Detention at Larnaca Airport with a large shipment of cigarettes

At Larnaca Airport, three passengers were detained after a large quantity of tobacco products without excise stamps was found in their luggage, the Cyprus Customs Department reported.

The incident occurred on Monday during checks of passengers departing for the United Kingdom. Acting on operational information, customs officers conducted a baggage inspection of three individuals.

As a result of the inspection, 210 cartons of 200 cigarettes each were found in the passengers’ suitcases — 70 cartons in each bag. The tobacco products lacked the mandatory health warnings in Greek and Turkish, indicating their illegal origin and non-payment of excise duties.

All three passengers were detained for offences committed under the “in flagrante” procedure, and the cigarettes along with the luggage were seized as evidence.

Later, the detainees were released after agreeing to an out-of-court settlement. Each of them paid a fine, with the total amounting to €12,600.

Customs authorities continue to remind passengers of the strict rules regarding the export of tobacco products and warn that such violations entail serious fines and criminal liability.