Prison sentence for importing cannabis

A LIMASSOL man was yesterday sentenced to seven years in prison after being found guilty of importing over 10kg of cannabis.

Socratis Kalavazides, 25, a tyre repairer from Ayios Demetrios, Limassol, was stopped by customs police as he arrived from Amsterdam at Larnaca Airport last March.

Checking his suitcase, officers found 10.760kg of cannabis. Drug squad YKAN arrived at the scene and arrested him on the spot.

The court yesterday took into account Kalavazides’ immediate confession that he planned to sell some of the drugs on.

He also admitted at the time that he had the opportunity to refuse transporting the suitcase from Holland for a fee of €3,000, but didn’t as he was in dire financial straits.

In its unanimous decision, the court underlined the need to protect society from such crimes.

Meanwhile, two men were yesterday remanded for eight days after being caught in possession of almost two kilos of what is believed to be cannabis.

Acting on a tip-off, YKAN officers raided a home in the coastal part of Paphos village Kissonerga and found over 1,700g of the dry, green substance.

YKAN’s operation started early in the afternoon. Entering the home, police found a 53-year-old man and in his possession, a handmade cigarette, a bag containing five grams of cannabis and a grinder, while another half a gram was spotted hidden in the house.

Outside, YKAN caught the other suspect – a 47-year-old man – getting ready to drive off. On him, police found 27g of the green substance and another 1,673g hidden in his car.

Both men were arrested and yesterday remanded by Paphos District Court.

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