Pesticides, refrigerants and tobacco products were transported from the occupied illegally from an uncontrolled point, which were detected and confiscated, as the Customs Department states in its announcement.
As stated in the announcement, a vehicle with a driver and a passenger of two Greek Cypriots, which was trying to pass from the occupied to the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus from an uncontrolled point, near the Astromeritis - Zodia roadblock, was spotted on November 20 by members of the Police and officers of the Department Customs, which they stopped.
During the inspection of his vehicle, "it was found that they were illegally transporting a significant amount of pesticides, refrigerants, while under the rear seats there were hidden amounts of tobacco products", it is reported.
In particular, it is noted, 45,5 liters of pesticides of various types and brands and 1000ml (10 bottles of 100ml) of plant hormones, which are not allowed to be transported from the occupied to the free areas according to the Green Line Regulations, were located and confiscated. Also 150Kg (10 bottles of 15Kg) of refrigerant gas R410 and 45Kg (5 bottles of 9Kg) of refrigerant gas R32, the circulation of which is prohibited in the European Union, due to the destruction they cause in the ozone layer. Furthermore, 7 boxes of 200 cigarettes and 3 boxes of 200 heated cigarettes of various brands were located and confiscated, which did not bear the marking on the harm of smoking in the Greek and Turkish languages, nor the safety feature and the unique traceability code, indications that they were duty free.
As stated in the announcement, "the driver and the passenger were arrested for obvious offenses and the vehicle was confiscated as a means of transporting the mentioned products". Later, they were released after paying €17,500 for the out-of-court settlement of the offenses committed and their vehicle was released with the payment of €500.
"On the occasion of the above seizure, the Customs Department informs the public that in addition to its responsibility for the collection of duties and taxes, it has high on its priorities the protection and safety of citizens, society and the environment, thus contributing to the improvement of the quality of life in our country", the announcement concludes.
Source: KYPE
