A 30-year-old man in Limassol was fined over €9,000 after police discovered hundreds of contraband cigarettes and tobacco in his possession, police reported on Saturday.

The man was initially stopped by police while driving, where officers found 25 packets of tobacco in his vehicle. He was arrested on the spot for the illegal possession of undeclared tobacco products.

A subsequent search of his home in Limassol uncovered 71 boxes containing 719 packets of cigarettes, along with another 22 boxes holding 110 packets of tobacco. All items were seized.

The man was fined €8,500 for the cigarettes and an additional €800 for outstanding warrants against him. He has since been released, pending further investigation by the customs office.