A Paphos man was on Monday sentenced to nine years in prison after being found guilty of multiple criminal charges, including illegal drug possession with intent to supply, money laundering and possession of an offensive weapon.

The charges stem from an investigation launched after a tip-off on May 7, 2024, regarding a significant drug stash in a flat in Kato Paphos, after which the anti-narcotics unit (Ykan) put the flat under surveillance.

On May 8, the defendant accompanied Ykan officers to the apartment complex to execute a search warrant during which police discovered a suitcase containing nine transparent nylon packages of cannabis.

A plastic container was also found with 32 nylon bags of cannabis, as well as a digital scale with traces of the drug. Three additional bags, also containing traces of cannabis, were recovered.

During questioning, the defendant admitted that the cannabis found was his. The prosecution confirmed that he had no previous convictions.

Defence lawyer Kostas Siailis requested the court consider the fact that he was not a drug dealer. Siailis said the man had purchased the drugs from another individual, whom he did not name due to fears for his safety.

He further argued that the defendant, a drug user facing financial hardship, had been exploited by the other person, who had given him access to the flat to transport drugs or supply them to others.