Student arrested for drug trafficking and illegal residency to face trial while in detention

Lefkosia, North Cyprus — A Congolese national who was apprehended with 2.5 kilograms of illegal narcotics during the recent police operation in north Cyprus was ordered to remain in custody pending trial.

The suspect identified only as SEF who has been residing in the country illegally since June 24, 2021, was brought before the Lefkosia District Court once again to face charges related to drug trafficking. The arrest was made during a joint operation by the Anti-Narcotics and Anti-Smuggling Directorate and the Crime Prevention Unit of the Lefkosia Police Department.

Police prosecutor stated that on the morning of May 17, 2025, at approximately 9:45 AM, authorities received intelligence regarding a suspected drug transaction on Şehit Kazım Salih Street in the Küçük Kaymaklı area of Lefkosia.

According to the police, at around 10:00 AM, police observed a suspicious individual, described as a Black male carrying a black sports bag. When officers approached to conduct a search, the suspect attempted to flee, resisting arrest. He was arrested with reasonable force.

A search of the suspect and his Adidas-branded black sports bag revealed 90 vacuum-sealed, transparent plastic packages, each weighing approximately 28 grams, totaling 2 kilograms and 520 grams of cannabis ready for sale. Police also conducted a search of the suspect’s residence, where they discovered 8,000 Turkish lira and 200 U.S. dollars believed to be proceeds from drug sales.

Further investigation revealed that the suspect entered Northern Cyprus on April 21, 2021, but failed to complete immigration procedures and had been residing illegally since June 24, 2021. He reportedly attended a local university for a brief period before dropping out.

Following the presentation of evidence, the presiding judge ruled in favor of the prosecution’s request for pre-trial detention, ordering SEF to be held in prison for up to three months pending further legal proceedings.