Three men on trial over 20kg haul of cannabis

Three men were referred to the criminal court on Monday to face trial in connection with trafficking some 20 kilos of cannabis.

Their trial is scheduled to start on May 10.

The three suspects, aged 34, 36, and 52, were arrested earlier this month in Larnaca following a suspected drug deal, which had been under police surveillance.

After the deal took place, drug squad officers tried to intercept the two vehicles, which were driven by two of the suspects.

In a bid to escape, the 34-year-old crashed into a patrol car and came to a halt while the second suspect, 36, drove his car at an officer who was on foot. The officer escaped unscathed, but the suspect’s car crashed into two police vehicles before stopping.

Police said the suspect got out and attacked an officer who managed to subdue and place him under arrest.

In the first car, officers found around a kilo of cannabis while a search of the second vehicle found a precision scale, a grinder with traces of cannabis, 13 phone cards, and eight memory sticks.

Shortly afterwards, police arrested the 52-year-old suspect in Larnaca. The man was detained after he was seen in the 36-year-old’s car before the meeting.

The next day, police found an additional 19 kilos of cannabis stashed in a car that had been parked in a plot in Limassol.

All suspects were referred to trial before a criminal court, faced with charges including conspiracy to commit felony, illegal possession of a class B drug, possession of a class B with intent to supply, and assault.

The court will decide on Tuesday whether to remand the suspects in custody pending trial or release them on bail.