Two students arrested of drug dealing following a tip off were found living illegally in North Cyprus

LEFKOSIA — Two students, accused of drug trafficking and residing illegally in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), have been remanded in custody for up to three months.

The suspects identified only as DS and CN, both Nigerians reappeared before the Lefkosia court on Tuesday May 6 on charges of “illegal possession, distribution, and sale of narcotic substances.”

According to testimony delivered by Police in court, the suspects were arrested following a tip-off alleging their involvement in drug trafficking. A joint operation conducted by the Narcotics and Anti-Smuggling Directorate and Lefkosia Police’s Special Task Unit (C.Ö.Ş.) led to a search of their residence, where authorities discovered 347 grams of cannabis, a precision scale containing drug residue, and cash amounting to ₺143,380 and £20, believed to be proceeds from drug sales.

The suspects were detained and brought before the court twice, with police being granted an additional 11 days to investigate. 

During questioning, DS confessed to purchasing 504 grams of cannabis in March 2025, selling 56 grams to CN for 900,000 Nigerian Naira, and another 80 grams for 1,350,000 Naira on April 25. He also admitted to selling the remaining drugs to numerous unidentified individuals and sending the earnings to his family in Nigeria.

The suspect CN, in his statement, admitted to consuming some of the drugs he received from DS and selling the rest at ₺800 per package to multiple buyers.

A migration status check revealed that DS had been residing illegally in the country for 1,200 days since February 11, 2022, while CN had overstayed for 878 days since November 29, 2022. Both men were confirmed to be in the TRNC without legal status.

Two other individuals, CC and UC, were initially detained in connection with the case, but no evidence linking them to the drugs was found. However, as they were also residing illegally in the country, they were handed over to immigration authorities for deportation procedures.

After reviewing the evidence, the judge ordered that DS and CN be remanded in prison for a period not exceeding three months pending trial.