North claims that most of its illegal drugs coming from the south

Turkish Cypriot media reported on Monday that up to 90 per cent of illegal substances found in the north are transported there through the government-controlled areas.

The chairwoman of the Turkish Cypriot anti-drug committee Teyfide Tecel Hatipoglu told Kibris newspaper that the number of drug users is increasing every day and that most are under the age of 25, including university students.

She said that more than 400 people had been referred to the committee for sociopsychological support in the last year.

The chairwoman also claimed that 80 to 90 per cent of substances are transported from the south.

She made statements on the day that five men and two women were remanded for three days in connection with the discovery of drugs worth 2.5m TL (€174,184). The operation took place on Saturday between Neapolis and Kioneli in northern Nicosia, during which 1,395 grammes of heroine, hundreds of ecstasy pills and 110 MDMA pills were uncovered.

Among the suspects is a 17-year-old girl whose parents knew she was selling drugs, the court heard during the hearing.

Meanwhile, five more people are wanted in relation to the case.