The trial of Giorgos Christodoulou, known as "Zavrantona", continued on Tuesday before the Nicosia Assize Court, with testimony from an official of the State General Laboratory concerning the alleged importation and possession of more than 15 kilograms of cocaine with intent to supply.
During the hearing, the defence challenged the chain of evidence, suggesting that the cocaine analysed by the laboratory may not have been the same quantity originally found in a military-style bag seized by police.
Laboratory findings
The witness told the court that she received a military bag containing 14 packages of suspected drugs.
Laboratory analysis showed that all 14 packages contained cocaine, with a total net weight of 15.016 kilograms.
She added that the samples had an average cocaine purity of approximately 75%, describing this as a high purity level but one commonly seen in similar cases. According to the witness, cocaine purity in comparable seizures typically ranges between 75% and 85%.
The official also testified that the laboratory did not examine the samples for non-controlled substances or cutting agents.
Defence questions evidence
During cross-examination, defence lawyer Christos Poutziouris asked whether laboratory tests could determine where the drugs had been manufactured or when they had been produced.
The witness replied that neither could be established through the analyses conducted.
She further confirmed that the samples had been sent to the Institute of Neurology and Genetics for DNA analysis before reaching the State General Laboratory.
Dispute over seized drugs
Mr Poutziouris argued that the cocaine delivered to the laboratory by police was not necessarily the same quantity that had originally been found in the seized military bag.
In response, the witness said all exhibits she received were fully sealed, adding that any issues concerning their handling before arriving at the laboratory were matters for the police authorities.
Additional evidence and next hearing
The defence also referred to two scales on which traces of cocaine and cannabis had reportedly been found, suggesting the residue may have originated from previous samples.
The witness acknowledged that such a possibility could not be ruled out.
The prosecution subsequently requested the addition of two further witnesses, a motion that was not opposed by the defence.
The court approved the request and scheduled the case to continue on 30 and 31 July, while the defendant remains in custody.
Source: CNA
