Nicosia: A significant quantity of tobacco products was seized at the Deryneia crossing point by the Department of Customs, which, in a statement, referred to a 'worrying increase' over the past two months in incidents involving Israeli nationals who are smuggling mainly tobacco products from the Turkish occupied areas with the intention of taking them to Israel.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Department of Customs estimates that there may be a specific network supplying cigarettes from the occupied areas to Israel via the Republic of Cyprus, using the so-called 'ant smuggling' method. This method involves illegally trafficking goods, such as cigarettes, drugs, or cash, in small quantities, like worker ants, making numerous consecutive journeys so as not to arouse suspicion and to remain below the authorities' radar.
Following the two major seizures carried out in February and November 2025, which initially revealed the operation of a network transporting tobacco products by boats and ships from the coast of Cyprus to the coast of Israel, it appears that the network has turned to 'ant smuggling', the statement said.
The Department reported that during June, confiscation of tobacco products at crossing points involving Israeli nationals accounted for 14% of the total number of seizures, while accounting for 30% of all cigarette seizures. In July, confiscations accounted for 24.5% of the total number, while accounting for almost 50% of cigarette seizures.
Regarding the latest incident, the Department of Customs said that on 12 August, its officers, as part of routine checks to enforce the Green Line Regulation at the Deryneia crossing point, stopped a Turkish Cypriot taxi transferring an Israeli national to Larnaca Airport. A search revealed 15 cartons containing 200 cigarettes each, as well as three one-kilogram packets of shisha tobacco, which did not bear the required health warnings or security features.
The tobacco products were confiscated and are set for destruction. The individual involved was initially arrested but later released after agreeing to an out-of-court settlement, involving the payment of a £2,000 fine.
The Department of Customs highlighted that a worrying upward trend has been observed over the past two months involving Israeli nationals smuggling tobacco products from the occupied areas with the intention of transporting them to Israel.
Cyprus remains divided since 1974, following Turkey's invasion and occupation of its northern third. UN-led peace talks have yet to yield results, with the latest round in July 2017 ending inconclusively. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres plans to convene another meeting after adequate preparation, with Mara Angela Holgun and Raffaele Fitto involved in the mediation efforts.