Nicosia, Cyprus. Customs officers seized untaxed tobacco products and a vehicle from a Romanian woman stopped at the Ledra Street crossing on Sunday, authorities said.
Stop and search at crossing point
The customs department said the woman was stopped during routine checks at the Ledra Street crossing point. A search of her bag and a subsequent body search uncovered tobacco products whose packaging did not carry the mandatory health warnings in Greek and Turkish, indicating that the items were duty unpaid.
Items confiscated
Customs officers confiscated five cartons containing 200 cigarettes each, as well as 2.75 kilogrammes of rolling tobacco. The vehicle she was using was also seized.
Previous cases and legal outcome
According to the customs department, the woman had previously been involved in dozens of cases relating to the transport of tobacco products from the north. The woman was arrested for flagrant offences committed but was later released after her request for an out-of-court settlement was accepted.
What measures do you think authorities should prioritise to curb the transport of duty-unpaid tobacco products?
