Customs officers have seized 40 refrigerant gas cylinders and a commercial vehicle at the Agios Dometios crossing point, while a 36-year-old Turkish Cypriot driver was arrested in connection with the case.
According to the Department of Customs, the incident took place on May 25 during routine checks carried out under the Green Line Regulation.
During an inspection of the commercial vehicle, officers found 40 cylinders of refrigerant gas in the storage area. When questioned, the driver allegedly said he did not have any accompanying documents for the goods.
The department said the goods and the vehicle were seized on reasonable suspicion that the cylinders had originated from Turkey. The driver was also arrested.
The 36-year-old was later released after a proposal for an out-of-court settlement was accepted, with the payment of €15,000.
The seized cylinders were transferred to a Customs warehouse in Nicosia, where they will remain until they are destroyed or recycled by an approved company.
