Kiosk owner fined €90,000 after tax free cigarettes found

Authorities fined a Famagusta kiosk owner €90,000 after finding 925 cartons of cigarettes and 24 kilos of tobacco whose tax had not been paid, it was announced on Thursday.

The establishment was searched by police and customs officers at 10am on Wednesday when officers finding part of the contraband.

A subsequent search of the owner’s home found more cigarettes and tobacco of various brands.

The owner and an employee were arrested and fined €90,000. The pair were released after the owner paid €40,000 and made an arrangement with the authorities to pay the remainder in three monthly instalments.