Illegal immigrant, duty free tobacco in customs haul

An illegal immigrant was found hidden in the back of a vehicle after the driver tried to turn back at the Ayios Dhometios crossing point and evade inspection, it was made known on Thursday.

During routine checks at the crossing point on Tuesday evening, Customs Department agents noticed a long wheelbase vehicle driven by a 57-year-old attempt to return to the north.

The vehicle was stopped and inspected.

Under the second row of seats, the agents found a 27-year-old immigrant.

The driver then reversed into a car and proceeded to also hit the car in front, so police officers were called to assist in immobilising the vehicle.

It was determined that the immigrant was being smuggled into the south and he was arrested along with the driver.

Later that night, customs agents stopped a vehicle driven by a Turkish Cypriot and found 150kg of beef bones and skin in the boot, in violation of the Green Line regulation for the transport of animal products.

Following the recent foot-and-mouth outbreak, apart from confiscating and destroying the animal remains, the agents imposed a €500 fine as an out-of-court settlement. The vehicle was also confiscated and not returned.

On Wednesday, customs agents at the Astromeritis-Zodia crossing point inspected a vehicle driven by a Greek Cypriot and found nine cartons of 200 cigarettes each and six cartons of 200 heated cigarettes each, all duty free and well hidden in a sliding roof compartment.

The individual was arrested and the tobacco and his vehicle were confiscated. He was later released after accepting an out-of-court settlement of €720, as well as €280 for the return of his vehicle.

In Ayios Dhometios on Thursday, customs agents inspected a vehicle driven by a woman with Cypriot citizenship and found four cartons of 200 cigarettes each and three cartons of 200 heated cigarettes each, all duty free.

The woman was arrested and the tobacco and her vehicle confiscated. She was released after accepting an out-of-court settlement of €330 and a further €170 for the return of her car.