Five men arrested in Cyprus as police seize nearly 21kg of dried opium poppy pods

Nicosia, Cyprus. Police said on Thursday that five men were arrested and nearly 21 kilograms of dried opium poppy pods were seized during anti-drug operations in Nicosia, Limassol and Larnaca.

Seizures and arrests

Authorities said approximately 20.78kg of dried pods from the opium poppy plant were confiscated. The five men arrested are aged 20, 22, 23, 27 and 28.

Suspects under investigation

Police said one of the suspects, aged 22, was already in custody in connection with a separate drug case. Investigations also showed that two of the suspects, aged 27 and 28, were living in Cyprus without the required residence documents.

Wider investigation

Authorities said more than 52kg of opium poppy products have been seized so far and 10 people have been arrested in connection with ongoing investigations into the matter.