Police in northern Cyprus broke up an alleged drug ring with links in Gemikonagi, Girne, Lefkosa, Lefke and Gazimagusa, seizing almost 17 kilos of cannabis.[1] Seven Cameroonian nationals were arrested in connection with the haul.[2] The Narcotics and Smuggling Prevention Branch seized what it called one of the largest recent drug hauls in its four-district Pence (Claw) operation.[3] The overnight operation across Lefkosa, Girne, Gazimagusa and Lefke recovered 16 kilos 750 grams of drugs and led to seven Cameroonian nationals being detained.[3] Those detained, said to be university students, were brought before a court, which ordered them held for one day in the first instance.[3]

The case began with a tip that two suspicious packages were being sent by taxi from Gemikonagi to Girne.[3] The suspect who came to collect the packages at the Girne address tried to flee on seeing the police and was caught with reasonable force after running about 100 metres.[3] The two taxi packages held 1 kilo 750 grams of cannabis-type drugs, and the man collecting them was taken into custody.[3] A search of another suspect’s home found 10 kilos in 17 packages and 5 kilos in 16 packages.[3] Police established that one of the suspects had brought the drugs into the country from Cameroon through Ercan Airport on 28 October 2020.[3] He spent two weeks with the drugs in a Catalkoy quarantine hotel before being collected from the hotel by another suspect once isolation ended.[3]

All seven suspects were given the floor in court and denied the charges.[3] The suspect who imported the drugs claimed someone in Cameroon gave him the package, telling him it held food products, and that he did not know it contained drugs.[3] Police said statements were still to be taken, other wanted persons were sought and some evidence was missing, and asked for the suspects to be held.[3] The investigating officer, Baris Duman, testified in court that the seven suspects had been caught trafficking drugs.[2]