Student surrenders to police 17 days after allegedly throwing bag of cannabis onto a street in Lefkoşa

Lefkoşa, North Cyprus – July 9, 2025 — A Nigerian national, identified as CSO, who allegedly fled after discarding a bag containing 22 grams of cannabis on a street in Lefkoşa, has turned himself in to the police through his lawyer 17 days after the incident. He denies the allegations.

CSO appeared before the Lefkoşa District Court on Tuesday, July 8 facing charges related to illegal possession of a controlled drug with intent to supply. 

Police officer who presented the facts in court, stated that on June 21, 2025, at around 10:00 PM, police received a tip-off that a bag was thrown from a moving vehicle on Şehit Hilmi Mustafa Street in the Yenikent area.

Upon inspecting the scene, police recovered the bag, which was found to contain 22 individually packaged grams of cannabis, an amount consistent with intent to sell. Also inside the bag were 5,230 Turkish Lira and 20 British pounds in cash.

Investigators reviewed CCTV footage and identified the vehicle's license plate, which was registered to the suspect. Despite efforts to contact him at the time, he reportedly ignored phone calls and failed to report to the police station when summoned.

On July 8, 2025, CSO voluntarily presented himself to the police via his legal representative.

Further investigation revealed that there had been a traffic checkpoint on the street where the bag was discarded, and police suspect that CSO threw the bag to avoid being caught with drugs. Records also indicate he was fined for careless driving on the same day of the incident.

The seized substance was sent for forensic analysis, which confirmed it was cannabis. The packaging materials are undergoing fingerprint examination, the results of which are still pending.

Despite denying the accusations, the suspect remains under investigation. Police have requested additional time to complete their inquiries.

The judge ruled that CSO be remanded in custody for two days as the investigation continues.