Limassol ketamine seizure amounts to about 790,000 doses, Ykan chief says

Limassol, Cyprus. The 390 kilograms of ketamine seized in Limassol amounts to approximately 790,000 doses, drugs squad (Ykan) chief Christos Andreou said on Tuesday. Four people have been detained in connection with the case.

Seizures and investigation

Andreou said the operation began after Ykan evaluated and acted on information, initially leading to the discovery of 127 kilograms of ketamine.

Following further information, officers located a second quantity of 263.5 kilograms in a warehouse in Limassol.

The investigation is ongoing, including into whether the seized quantity is linked to an earlier shipment, Andreou said.

Ketamine trend

Andreou described ketamine as a relatively new substance on the Cypriot market. From 2022 until now, only around 220 grams had previously been detected, he said.

He added that agencies in other European countries have reported a similar upward trend in ketamine use.

Ketamine is an anaesthetic with dissociative effects that is sought for its psychoactive properties. Larger quantities can cause intense sedation, commonly known as a K-hole.

Suspected smuggling network

Police believe the group behind the Limassol seizure was part of an organised network smuggling drugs into Cyprus from Israel using luxury yachts docked at marinas in Limassol and Larnaca.

Buyers were reportedly limited to Israeli residents in Cyprus.

Ketamine has become a key ingredient in a drug known as dosa, which has gained popularity in Israeli nightlife in recent years and often combines ketamine with stimulants or hallucinogens, including MDMA and caffeine. Israeli media have attributed its spread partly to a lower cost than cocaine, with the drug selling for roughly half cocaine’s market price.