Below the European average is the use of methamphetamine and other stimulant drugs such as cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamine in Cyprus, while cannabis is first in terms of the amount of drug seized in 2022, according to YKAN.
In his statements to KYPE, Stelios Sergidis, YCAN's Deputy Director of Administration and Operations, said that in 2022, YCAN examined 1.017 drug cases involving 1.084 persons. He added that 348 kilograms and 250 grams of cannabis, 38 kilograms and 965 grams of rhytin, 37 kilograms and 983 grams of cocaine, 4 kilograms and 356 grams of methamphetamine, 1,5 kilograms of synthetic substances and other substances in smaller quantities were seized.
Cannabis remains the number one substance in seizures and use, followed by cocaine, he said. He added that in the use of methamphetamine, our country is 5 to 20 times below the average of the cities that participated in a European survey, but ranks higher than the rest of the drugs. Its greatest use in Cyprus in 2021 is found in Paphos and in areas of Nicosia, mainly on weekends.
According to him, compared to previous years, there was a decrease in methamphetamine in almost all cities. In relation to the use of other stimulants such as cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamine, he noted that Cyprus is in the lowest places in the European ranking.
Mr. Sergidis stated that the highest levels of these narcotic substances measured in Cyprus were found in the Ayia Napa-Paralimni area. Compared to previous years and the same periods (April), the use of ecstasy, cocaine and amphetamine was at lower levels, with the exception of Ayia Napa, which showed higher concentrations on the weekend, he added.
Regarding cannabis compared to previous years, there was a decrease in cannabis concentrations in some cities and an increase in cannabis concentrations in Nicosia and mainly in Limassol during the weekend
Regarding the death rate from drugs, Mr. Sergidis said that in 2019, 5 deaths were recorded, of which 2 Cypriots and 3 foreigners. In 2020 6 deaths of which 5 foreigners and 1 Cypriot and in 2021 11 deaths of which 7 foreigners and 4 Cypriots.
In Paphos, he said, in 2021 we had 141 cases, in 2022 201 cases, and in 2023 until March 31, 45 cases. He added that 2021 persons were arrested in Paphos in 147, 2022 persons in 208 and 2023 persons in 31 until March 51. Regarding the seizures in Paphos, Mr. Sergidis said that in 2021 24 kg and 353 grams were confiscated in Paphos, in 2022 42 kg 570 grams and in 2023 until April 27, 2023 23 kg.
In addition, Mr. Sergidis noted that another serious seizure is methamphetamine, where 2021 grams were seized in 11, 2022 grams in 356 and 2023 kilograms in 4,5, noting that there was a large increase in 2023. Other substances were also seized, he said, in smaller quantities. quantities. As he noted, in 2021 55 tablets and 1 gram of MDMA Ecstasy were seized in Paphos, in 2022 152 tablets and in 2023 5 tablets.
According to Mr. Sergidis, the European cannabis policy framework is becoming increasingly complex. He also said that the appearance of hemp products, including extracts and odorants containing TCH and CBD, has an impact on the Cypriot market. There is also an increase in the TCH content of cannabis and the spread of synthetic cannabinoids.
Regarding the particularities in the Paphos district, the Deputy Commander of Administration and Operations of the YCAN, referred to the difficulty of police work due to the small community where everyone knows everyone, to the difficulty of gathering information in cases involving foreigners, due to the closed operation of the ethnic groups of the population and the necessity of improving the synergies of local society bodies.
Mr. Sergidis noted that in order to address and resolve the complex policy issues in the field of addictive substances, a balanced and documented understanding of the problem is required.
Regarding future policies and strategies, he referred to the conduct of financial investigations for the seizure and freezing of assets that are the product of criminal actions. He also referred to the adoption of regulations for the cultivation, distribution and prescription of medicinal cannabis.
In addition, Mr. Sergidis noted that an indicator for monitoring trends in the use of illegal substances is the research by AAEK and the NIREAS Water Research Center "Detection" where the presence of substances in the municipal sewage of Cyprus is recorded.
