Former Greek Cypriot army officer jailed for cocaine possession

According to the Greek Cypriot newspaper Cyprus Mail, a 34-year-old officer of the Greek Cypriot National Guard was jailed for 16 years on Monday by the Greek Cypriot criminal court for the possession of around 96 kilos of cocaine. The man was arrested in March last year when during a search of his car, two suitcases containing 96 kilos of cocaine were found.

The Greek Cypriot administration broadcaster CyBC reported that the drugs were the biggest ever quantity located and seized in the South Cyprus.

The 34-year-old had plead guilty to charges of cocaine possession with the intent to supply and expressed his willingness to testify against the two other suspects, a 33- year old unemployed man from Larnaca and a 42-year-old businessman from Paralimni, who plead not guilty to their charges. The 34-year-old and the 33-year-old suspect were arrested following a tip off that a major quantity of drugs was to be moved from Limassol to Larnaca in the South Cyprus.

Greek Cypriot Police had placed the ‘Enaerios’ parking lot in Limassol under close surveillance, where the two men were seen, the one entering and driving off in a van that was located in the parking place, and the other following him in a second car.

The two vehicles were cut off near the Mouttayiakka exit on the highway, and during a search, two suitcases filled with packages of various sizes containing cocaine were located. Subsequent investigations implicated the 42-year-old businessman to whom the two suspects planned to deliver the drugs for a fee.

The Greek Cypriot administration broadcaster CyBC said that the 34-year old has already been placed in a witness protection programme after he agreed to testify against the two other suspects.