Paphos, Cyprus. Police said two people were arrested at Paphos airport on Wednesday after being found in possession of large quantities of tobacco products for which the requisite taxes had not been paid.
First arrest
Police said the first arrest was made at around 4pm, when a 47-year-old man who had arrived at the airport to board an outbound flight was found with 61 cartons of untaxed cigarettes.
Second arrest
A little under two hours later, at 5.50pm, police said a 42-year-old woman who had also travelled to the airport to board an outbound flight was found with 65 packs of untaxed cigarettes in her luggage.
How untaxed products are identified
Police said tobacco products are found to have not been taxed in most cases because they do not bear markings placed on tobacco products by the Republic of Cyprus’ authorities and do not carry safety warnings written in both Turkish and Greek.
Typical route described by police
Police said such products are typically imported into the north and then transferred over the Green Line and out of Cyprus via one of the Republic of Cyprus’ two airports.
What measures do you think should be prioritised to curb attempts to take untaxed tobacco products out of Cyprus?
