Three arrests for smuggled tobacco at airport

A large amount of duty-free tobacco products were seized by the Customs Department at Larnaca Airport, it was reported on Monday.

According to the department, officials carried out checks on the luggage of three passengers intending to depart last Wednesday and Thursday from the airport to the United Kingdom.

During security control, tobacco products illegally smuggled from the north into the Republic with the aim of export and sale in the UK were detected, totalling 141 cartons of 200 cigarettes and 30.5kg of rolling tobacco.

On September 27, during the inspection of the luggage of a passenger bound for London, a total of 24 boxes of 200 cigarettes and 3kg of rolling tobacco were found.

The passenger was arrested and an out-of-court settlement resulted with the payment of a €2,500 fine, following which he was released.

On the same day, another passenger, bound for Manchester, was caught with a total of 87 cartons of 200 cigarettes and 12.5kg of rolling tobacco.

The passenger was also arrested and brought to court on September 29, which imposed a fine of €7,000.

On September 28, during the inspection of the baggage of another passenger bound for London, a total of 30 boxes of 200 cigarettes and 25kg of rolling tobacco were detected.

The passenger was arrested and after requesting an out-of-court settlement of the case, he paid a €9,000 fine and was released.

In all three cases the products did not bear the required health warning labels, nor did they have the safety feature and the unique identification code, all of which indicated that they were smuggled.