A Paphos man has been arrested as authorities investigate the illegal storage and sale of petrol in an unlicensed facility, police said on Monday.

In a combined approach, relevant local services including Paphos CID, customs officials, the district administration, the labour office and the fire service, discovered quantities of heating oil and petrol being sold without a state licence.

A 58-year-old man, the owner of the facility, was arrested, charged in writing and released to appear before a court at a later date in connection with violations of the petrol stations legislation.

Petrol samples and other evidence were taken from the scene.

It is the first such incident reported following price hikes brought on by limited supply and the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.