The Limassol Drug Squad (ΥΚΑΝ) has uncovered a large quantity of ketamine, with a total gross weight of 126 kilograms and 630 grams, as part of an investigation into the organised importation and trafficking of drugs from Israelto Cyprus.
The case appears to be linked to a criminal group allegedly involving Israeli nationals and people of Arab descent. According to information presented to the Court, the drugs were transported aboard luxury yachts, which used the marinas and ports of Larnaca and Limassol.
The shipments were allegedly brought into Cyprus disguised as construction materials and sanitary goods, before being stored in private homes and distributed to Israeli permanent residents on the island. The largest quantity of ketamine was found hidden inside paint containers.
Court appearance
Four people, two couples made up of Israeli and Palestinian nationals, appeared before the Limassol District Courttoday, Sunday. The Court issued an eight-day remand order against them, following a police request that their lawyers did not contest.
Timeline
According to what was presented to the Court, search warrants for homes, premises and vehicles linked to the case were secured on 10 September 2026.
During a search at the home of a 53-year-old Israeli man, carried out in the presence of the man himself, his 51-year-old wife and a further 50-year-old Israeli man, police found 34 grams of cocaine, 246.5 grams of ketamine, 15 grams of mephedrone and 12 grams of MDMA.
The same property also yielded €4,150 in cash, 42 packets of untaxed cigarettes, mobile phones and other evidence, which was seized for examination.
At a second property, home to a 50-year-old Palestinian man, searched in the presence of the man and his 35-year-old wife, investigators found the large quantity of ketamine, 126 kilograms and 630 grams in total, hidden inside paint containers.
A precision scale, mobile phones and other items were also seized from the same property, expected to be used as part of the investigation.
The four suspects were subsequently arrested under court warrants and remanded in custody for eight days to facilitate the investigation.
Regarding the 35-year-old Palestinian woman, it was noted that she is the mother of a minor child, who is currently living with the child's grandmother in suitable accommodation. Her lawyer said a decision on how her case proceeds is still pending.
ΥΚΑΝ's investigation continues, with investigators seeking to establish the full scope of the group's activity, the role played by each suspect, and the network through which the drugs were imported, stored and distributed across Cyprus.
