Police in Nicosia arrested a 40-year-old man found in possession of a total of 396 boxes of untaxed cigarettes and heated tobacco products.
He was issued an out-of-court settlement notice requiring payment of 20,000 euros.
According to a police statement, acting on information from the Nicosia Crime Prevention Unit regarding the illegal possession, transport and trade of untaxed tobacco products and fraudulent VAT evasion, officers carried out a search operation on Sept. 16 and 17.
During the operation, they located and stopped the man as he was driving in the Engomi area. A search of his car turned up 301 boxes of heated tobacco products, 95 boxes of cigarettes, 2,400 euros in cash and two mobile phones, all of which were seized.
The 40-year-old was taken to the Customs Department offices in Nicosia, where the seized items were handed over along with his vehicle, which was impounded.
