Police hail seven-kilo cannabis haul

A 32-YEAR-old Limassol man was yesterday remanded in custody for eight days in connection with the possession of seven kilos of cannabis and a small quantity of cocaine and ecstasy.

The drugs were hidden in an old house in Limnatis, which was being rented by the 32-year-old painter.

The man was arrested after police were tipped that a house in the Limassol village had been used as storage for drugs.

Police spokesman Demetris Demetriou said the house was put under surveillance by the drug squad, immediately after receiving the tip.

The suspect approached the house but he noticed the police and tried to escape in his car.

“He tried to get to his car and was seen dumping two plastic bags containing seven grams of cannabis,” Demetriou said.

The drug squad then searched the house and discovered the drugs, which had been stashed in paint containers.

Police found seven kilos of cannabis, 5.2 grams of cocaine and six ecstasy tablets.
Demetriou said the man admitted possession of the drugs.

Police believe the suspect had more drugs hidden somewhere else.

They were also searching for his accomplices.

Justice Minister Doros Theodorou said the police had stepped up its operation and the results were impressive.

“We are after the dealers and not the users and the courts have helped a lot because they are handing down particularly strict sentences, “Theodorou said.

The minister voiced his certainty that drug use would be curbed or maybe show a decline in the coming year.

And he put this down to the work done concerning the education of the public, and the sensitisation of society.

Theodorou also suggested that there was a turn from heroin to other drugs, which were not so lethal.

“If this is correct, because there are no figures for 2005 yet, it is very encouraging,” the minister added.

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