A man caught transporting a large quantity of tobacco products has been fined €70,000 by the customs department.

According to police statement the man intended to import 436 cartons of cigarettes and 121.5 kg of tobacco, without paying the required import taxes.

The 51-year-old Limassol resident was caught around 5 am on Tuesday morning when Larnaca police stopped his vehicle for a check on the old Larnaca-Nicosia road. A search revealed the large volume of tobacco products and the man was escorted to the police station, where he allegedly admitted to transporting the products in question without paying the prescribed duties.

The customs department also confiscated the suspect’s vehicle and illegal products.