Cyprus Customs Reports Up to 300 Monthly Smuggling Violations at North Crossing Points

Customs officials in Cyprus reported that approximately 200 to 300 smuggling and illicit trade violations occur each month at crossing points between government-controlled areas and the north. George Constantinou, spokesperson for the customs department, stated that these crossings have been a focal point for enforcement since 2003, with the department acting as the guardian of the European Commission's Green Line regulation. The majority of seized items involve small quantities of tobacco, fuel, and animal produce, the latter checked strictly due to livestock disease risks. Authorities highlighted a more serious challenge posed by unauthorized crossing points along the buffer zone, where larger volumes of goods are moved outside official controls by organized networks. These networks often traffic tobacco products from the north into government-controlled areas and onward to high-tax markets like the United Kingdom. While drug seizures occur, they typically involve small quantities for personal use, with larger trafficking routes linked to airports and courier services. In response, customs authorities have intensified inspections on vehicles and pedestrians and called for increased monitoring of unauthorized routes to mitigate illegal trade and health risks.