Three foreign nationals caught with drugs in north Cyprus tried to escape from police

Three individuals were caught and arrested as part of the operation tagged "Emek" carried out by the Narcotics and Smuggling Prevention Directorate in Türkeli on Wednesday.

The three individuals—AT, VS and AT— all from Latvia were brought before the court on Thursday morning.

Speaking in court, the police stated that on November 19, 2024, during the "Emek Operation," a vehicle driven by AT and carrying passengers VS and AT was stopped in Türkeli. The suspects attempted to flee but were apprehended using reasonable force. Upon searching the vehicle, police found 140 grams of cannabis in five vacuum-sealed bags and 240 grams of synthetic cannabinoid in four vacuum-sealed bags hidden on the back seat, along with a small gardening shovel used to conceal the drugs.

Based on statements obtained from the suspects, police learned that the drugs were acquired the same day from South Cyprus. They admitted to hiding 120 grams of synthetic marijuana under a tree on a roadside in Lefkosia for someone to pick up. Following AT's’ lead, the police recovered this hidden stash.

Additionally, AT revealed that on November 18, they smuggled 12 grams of cocaine from the south and buried it in an open field in Lefkosia’s Small Industrial Zone for a third party to retrieve. The 12 grams of cocaine were also recovered, bringing the total amount of seized drugs to 512 grams.

The police officer also connected the suspects to the "Gaymak Operation" conducted in Girne on November 5, where 400 grams of cocaine were seized. The suspects were found to have smuggled the drugs from the south and left them under a tree for unidentified individuals.

The investigation is still in its early stages. The suspects, who reside in the south, were remanded in custody for an additional two days at the request of the police.