Increasingly younger individuals with no prior record are being linked to large-scale drug trafficking cases, prompting concern within the police following recent findings.
Speaking to Politis radio this morning, the head of the Cyprus Police Drug Law Enforcement Unit, Christos Andreou, commented on the significant quantity of narcotics discovered in two warehouses in the area of Strovolos.
Younger suspects not previously known to authorities
Asked how police tracked down the two arrested individuals and about their profile, Andreou said they are aged 30 and 26. He noted that both were previously unknown to authorities, a development that has heightened concern within the police.
“Since last year, when large quantities of drugs have been detected, we have observed that increasingly younger individuals, previously unknown to authorities, appear to be involved in the trafficking and possession of narcotics,” he said.
According to the unit’s commander, investigations led to the two suspects following an evaluation of intelligence information.
Responding to a question about what has changed and why such large quantities of drugs are being located, beyond cannabis, Andreou said that based on available data, Cypriot users continue primarily to consume cannabis.
Weapons and cash seized
Searches at the two warehouses resulted in the seizure of a total of 233 kilograms and 500 grams of narcotic substances. Authorities also located explosive devices, pistols, firecrackers, ammunition and €13,500 in cash.
The two suspects, aged 30 and 26 respectively, have been remanded in custody and are expected to appear before a court today.