Jail sentence for drugs increased

The Supreme Court decided to increase a prison sentence for illegal cannabis possession from 3.5 years to seven.

The case concerns an individual caught with 2kg and 272g of cannabis and who was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison at Nicosia criminal court.

Nonetheless, the attorney-general’s office appealed the decision citing the defendant’s admission that the quantity of drugs would cause harm “to thousands of users and broader society”.

The original sentence of 3.5 years sends a wrong message to society as tougher penalties can be an effective deterrent, the Supreme Court’s decision said.

Representing the attorney-general was Eria Papaloizou.