Student caught with drugs sent to prison in north Cyprus

Lefkoşa, 17 May 2025 — A foreign national, was arrested in the Kaymaklı area of Lefkoşa during an anti-narcotics operation and has been remanded in police custody for three days. 

The suspect identified only as SEF, a Congo national was found in possession of 2.5 kilograms of drugs believed to be prepared for sale, according to police officials.

The arrest took place as part of the “Kaçış Yok” (No Escape) operation conducted jointly by the Narcotics and Anti-Smuggling Directorate and the Lefkoşa Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit on Saturday May 17.

Presenting the case in court, the police stated that authorities received intelligence on the morning of 17 May regarding a possible drug transaction on Şht. Kazım Salih Street in the Küçük Kaymaklı area. At approximately 10:00 AM, police officers on site observed a man behaving suspiciously while carrying a black sports bag.

When officers attempted to conduct a search, the suspect reportedly resisted and tried to flee. Officers detained him using reasonable force.

A search of the suspect and the sports bag revealed 90 individual vacuum-sealed transparent nylon packages, each containing approximately 28 grams of a substance believed to be narcotics. In total, 2 kilograms and 520 grams of illegal drugs were seized.

Police later conducted a search at the suspect’s residence, where they found 8,000 Turkish lira and 200 U.S. dollars, suspected to be proceeds from drug trafficking.

The officer informed the court that the investigation is still in its early stages, with several witness statements to be collected and surveillance footage to be reviewed. 

The seized substances are to be sent for laboratory analysis, and the suspect’s mobile phone will also be examined. Authorities noted that another suspect is still being sought in connection with the case.

In light of the ongoing investigation, the judge ordered that the suspect be held in police custody for an initial period of three days.