Cyprus authorities are seeking further information after reports emerged that a large shipment of detonators and ammunition seized in Italy was allegedly destined for the island. Speaking to Politis Radio, Customs Department spokesperson Giorgos Constantinou said the information comes from reports by Italian news agencies regarding an operation carried out by Italy’s financial police, the Guardia di Finanza, at the port of Ancona.
According to those reports, the seized cargo was found inside a truck that had arrived at the port and was reportedly destined for Cyprus.
Large quantity raises concerns
The shipment is said to have included more than 10 million detonators and approximately 314,000 rounds of ammunition.
Constantinou said the quantities mentioned in the reports are extremely large and naturally raise concern if the shipment was indeed intended for Cyprus. He added that customs authorities immediately activated their international contact points in order to request further information and assess the case. However, he clarified that the number of ammunition rounds alone is not necessarily unusual in commercial transport, as quantities of cartridges can often be high.
What raises particular concern, he said, is the reference to 10 million detonators, since such materials contain explosive components, even if in small amounts. In very large quantities they could pose serious risks.
Italian authorities seized the cargo in Ancona
According to a report by Italian broadcaster RAI, the large quantities of ammunition and detonators were seized at the port of Ancona during an operation by Italian authorities.
The operation was carried out by the Guardia di Finanza in cooperation with Italy’s customs agency, the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli. Authorities discovered the cargo inside a truck that was about to board a ferry bound for Greece. The shipment reportedly contained around 10 million detonators and 314,000 rounds of civilian ammunition, typically used for hunting or sport shooting. The cargo had departed from Bologna and, according to transport documents, its final destination was Cyprus.
Cargo declared as “various goods”
The case emerged after Italian authorities conducted an analysis of commercial flows and transport data, during which inconsistencies were identified in a shipment declared as “various goods”. Following the truck’s arrival at the port of Ancona, detailed inspections were carried out, leading to the discovery of the ammunition and detonators. The RAI report notes that the cargo was intended to be transported on a passenger ferry, something that violates safety regulations governing the transport of weapons and explosive materials. Such cargo must normally be transported through specialised and secure logistics channels.
Italian authorities seized both the cargo and the truck, while the driver of the vehicle has been reported to prosecutors on charges of illegal possession and transport of ammunition and explosive materials, as well as the use of forged documents.