Ayios Dhometios, Cyprus. An 80-year-old man was arrested at the Ayios Dhometios crossing after customs officers found 200 litres of fuel concealed in his vehicle during a routine inspection on Thursday. The fuel and the vehicle were confiscated as evidence.
Fuel discovery and seizure
The customs department said officers found ten 20-litre plastic containers in the rear of the vehicle, containing 160 litres of diesel and 40 litres of petrol. The driver was attempting to enter the government-controlled areas when he was stopped.
Arrest and settlement
Authorities arrested the individual, and the fuel and vehicle were confiscated. He was later released after requesting an out-of-court settlement and paying a €1,000 fine.
Regulatory and safety concerns
Customs officials said the quantity far exceeded permitted limits for personal transport and constituted a breach of regulations governing the movement of fuel across crossing points. They also raised safety concerns about storing fuel in improvised containers such as plastic water bottles.
What measures do you think should be taken to prevent unsafe transport of fuel across crossing points?
