Three Israelis Detained in Cyprus for Cigarette and Tobacco Smuggling

Cypriot customs officials apprehended two Israeli women at Paphos Airport on Monday, suspecting them of attempting to smuggle a significant quantity of cigarettes into the country. One woman was found with 3,800 cigarettes in 19 packs, while the second had 2,000 cigarettes in ten packs. The cigarette packaging lacked the required Cypriot markings, security features, and tracking codes, indicating that customs duties had not been paid. Both women were arrested, and the cigarettes were confiscated. Authorities later agreed to settle the cases out of court, with one woman paying a fine of 1,140 euros and the other 600 euros. They were subsequently released, and the seized cigarettes will be destroyed. Cyprus allows individuals entering from non-EU countries to bring up to 200 cigarettes duty-free for personal use; the amounts carried by the Israeli women far exceeded this limit.

On the same day, a third Israeli national was detained at the Deryneia crossing, which connects Turkish-controlled northern Cyprus with the Republic of Cyprus. While traveling in a taxi with Turkish-Cypriot license plates, the Israeli man was found to be carrying 7.4 kilograms of hookah tobacco without the necessary markings. The tobacco was seized, and the Israeli was arrested. He was later released after paying a 2,600 euro fine as part of an out-of-court settlement.

These incidents add to a growing number of similar cases involving Israeli citizens. Earlier in the month, six Israelis were caught with a total of 11,800 cigarettes over two days. The Cypriot Customs Department suspects an organized smuggling network is operating, moving inexpensive tobacco products from northern Cyprus, through the Republic of Cyprus, and onward to Israel. This network is believed to be employing a "port smuggling" method, where numerous individuals each carry smaller quantities rather than a single large shipment. Cypriot authorities noted that in 2025, large tobacco shipments were moved by sea from Cyprus to Israel, and they now suspect the method has shifted to passenger smuggling. In June, Israelis were involved in 41 out of 288 tobacco seizures at crossings, and in July, they were involved in 46 out of 188, accounting for nearly half of all cigarettes seized that month.