Heroin seized at Ledra Palace checkpoint

TWO women, a man and a 10-year-old child were taken into custody after a body search uncovered almost a kilo of heroin on one of the women, police said yesterday.

The foursome was arrested by the Drug Squad at around lunchtime near the Ledra Palace checkpoint in Nicosia. They had not long crossed over from the occupied areas where they had been visiting since the morning.

A body search uncovered two plastic bags containing a total 800g of the Class A drug in the underwear of a 40-year-old woman, from a Larnaca district village. Police also found €18,000 in cash.

The 40-year-old’s husband and daughter, who were with her at the time, were taken into custody. A second 38-year-old woman was also included in the bust. Reports said the latter was the main drug trafficker and that she had perhaps used the older woman to do the transporting for her.

According to CyBC the 40-year-old made similar claims during questioning. She allegedly told police she had been carrying the drugs across for the 38-year-old.

Drug Squad assistant commander Avraam Charalambous said the adults had been on the police’s radar for quite some time.

“We had information that they had been involved with drugs,” he said.

He said a search of the trio’s homes had uncovered no other incriminating evidence against them.