On June 30, 2026, officials from the Customs Department, during inspections at the Ledra Street Crossing Point, inspected the luggage of a Romanian national who was about to travel to Ireland, where he resides.
During the inspection, a total of 6 cartons containing 200 cigarettes each, of various brands, which he was transporting with the intent to deliver them to third parties in Ireland and which did not bear the warning about the dangers of smoking in Greek and Turkish, nor the security feature and unique traceability code—indications that they were untaxed.
The man was arrested on the spot for offenses committed in flagrante delicto by Customs Department officials, while the tobacco products were confiscated. He was later released after a proposal for an out-of-court settlement of the offenses was accepted, involving the payment of €360.
Also on July 1, 2026, Customs Department officials, during inspections at the Agios Dometios Border Crossing, proceeded to inspect the luggage of two British tourists who were traveling in a taxi bound for the United Kingdom.
During the inspection, a total of 10 cartons of 200 cigarettes and 250 grams of rolling tobacco were found, whose packaging did not bear warnings about the dangers of smoking in Greek and Turkish, nor the security feature and unique traceability code—indications that they were duty-free.
The two men were arrested on the spot for flagrant offenses by Customs Department officials, while the tobacco products were confiscated. They were later released after a proposal for an out-of-court settlement of the offenses was accepted, involving the payment of a total of €690.
