Customs officers at Paphos Airport arrested two British nationals, aged 25 and 24, and two Danish nationals, aged 23 and 22, on 4 July before their departure to London.
Following a risk assessment, officers inspected their luggage and found large quantities of tobacco products lacking the required Greek and Turkish health warnings, security markings and traceability codes, indicating that the products were untaxed.
The following quantities were discovered:
First passenger
- 39 cartons containing 200 cigarettes each
- 8 packs of 20 cigarettes each
- 5 packs of rolling tobacco weighing 50g each
- Total rolling tobacco: 250g
Second passenger
- 45 cartons containing 200 cigarettes each
- 60 packs of rolling tobacco weighing 50g each
- Total rolling tobacco: 3kg
Third passenger
- 64 cartons containing 200 cigarettes each
- 55 packs of rolling tobacco weighing 50g each
- Total rolling tobacco: 2.75kg
Fourth passenger
- 53 cartons containing 200 cigarettes each
- 75 packs of rolling tobacco weighing 50g each
- Total rolling tobacco: 3.75kg
All four passengers were arrested for offences committed in flagrante and their luggage and tobacco products were seized.
They were later released after accepting out-of-court settlements of:
- €2,500
- €3,900
- €4,000
- €4,000
A total of €13,400 was collected, while the seized tobacco products will be destroyed in accordance with the prescribed procedures.
