Cyprus' Customs Department has reported a worrying increase in tobacco smuggling cases involving Israeli nationals over the past two months, prompting concerns that an organised network may be transporting cigarettes from the north of the island through the Republic of Cyprus and on to Israel.
The latest case was detected on 12 August at the Dherynia crossing point, where customs officers seized 3,000 cigarettes and three kilograms of shisha tobacco.
Latest seizure
During routine inspections under the Green Line Regulation, customs officers stopped a Turkish Cypriot taxi carrying an Israeli passenger bound for Larnaca Airport.
A search of the passenger's luggage uncovered:
- 15 cartons containing 200 cigarettes each, totalling 3,000 cigarettes
- Three one-kilogram packages of shisha tobacco
According to customs authorities, the products lacked the required health warnings in Greek and Turkish, as well as security markings and traceability codes, indicating they were untaxed.
The tobacco products were confiscated and will be destroyed.
The Israeli passenger was initially arrested for offences committed in flagrante but was later released after agreeing to an out-of-court settlement involving a payment of €2,000.
Concerns over organised activity
Customs officials say statistics from crossing-point inspections show a significant increase in cases involving Israeli nationals during the last two months.
Most cases concern the illicit transfer of tobacco products from the north with the apparent intention of transporting them to Israel.
According to the department, the data strengthen suspicions that an organised network may be operating between the north, the Republic and Israel.
Authorities note that, following two major seizures in February and November 2025, when traffickers were believed to be using boats and ships to transport tobacco products from Cyprus to Israel, smugglers now appear to have adopted a different method.
The “ant smuggling” method
Customs officials believe the network has shifted to what is known as "ant smuggling".
The technique involves avoiding the movement of large quantities in a single shipment. Instead, multiple individuals transport smaller quantities over numerous trips, reducing the likelihood of detection by enforcement authorities.
The method is commonly associated with the illegal movement of cigarettes, drugs and cash.
Sharp increase in cases
Customs figures show a noticeable increase between June and July.
In June, cases involving Israeli nationals accounted for:
- 41 of 288 tobacco seizures (14%)
- 22,080 cigarettes out of a total of 72,620 seized (30%)
In July, the proportion increased to:
- 46 of 188 cases (24.5%)
- 20,980 cigarettes out of a total of 42,050 seized, representing almost 50% of all cigarettes confiscated during the month
The figures have heightened concerns among customs authorities that a coordinated smuggling operation may be exploiting Cyprus as a transit point for tobacco products destined for Israel.
