36kg of cannabis found in luggage at Larnaca airport (updated)

Police have seized a large amount of cannabis and arrested a 46-year-old man, the force announced on Sunday, after carrying out an operation with German authorities and the customs department.

He was later taken to Larnaca District Court which remanded him in police custody for eight days.

A total of 36kg of the drugs was seized while the man was arrested on suspicion of drugs trading.

The drugs were found in the man’s suitcases when he landed in Cyprus at Larnaca airport from the USA via Munich on Thursday, June 29.

During the man’s journey the suitcases were sent on a different flight to Germany, where they were then found to have the drugs in. The bags were then sent on to Cyprus.

The Cyprus drugs squad Ykan was given a tip off about the drugs so in co-operation with the customs department it seized them when they arrived on the island. During a check of the bags it was determined they belonged to the 46-year-old.

A controlled delivery of the suitcases to the suspect was then organised for Saturday when he was arrested by Ykan officers. He confessed to importing the cannabis and a case of importing drugs with the intent to supply others is being investigated against him.

“This case highlights once again that the exchange of information and cooperation between the services involved at international, European and national level brings significant results in the fight against illicit drug trafficking,” the customs department said.