Guns pulled as mob threatens drug cops

DRUG SQUAD (YKAN) officers were forced to pull out their guns on Thursday night after a mob of ten people holding batons and rocks attempted to stop them from arresting a suspected drug dealer.

One man, who had threatened to attack the officers, was arrested and was yesterday still being questioned, while the 42-year-old suspect was yesterday remanded in police custody for eight days by a Nicosia Court.

Yesterday, the court heard how the arrest could have turned ugly and how a standoff between the armed mob and the police ensued for several minutes.

According to YKAN Constable Andreas Andreou, his department had received a tip-off on April 4 that hidden in some wild shrubs close to a car park on Trikoupis Street in old Nicosia were two pots containing 16 cannabis plants.

The area is close to some guard posts occupied by National Guard soldiers.

“Officers went to the scene where they located the plants, which ranged in size from 15 inches to 25 inches. The area was then staked out,” said the investigator.

Andreou went on to say how they saw a man and a woman approach the area later that evening.

“The woman appeared to be on the lookout by the edge of the road, while the suspect walked into the bushy area and began watering the plants with a bottle that was already at the scene. He was also holding a torch.

“YKAN officers then approached the two people and shouted ‘police’ at them. Both of them then ran off. The suspect was apprehended shortly afterwards, but the woman has yet to be found.”

It was then, according to Andreou, that the mob arrived and threatened to attack the police officers.

“Just a few minutes after the arrest, around ten people – two of which were holding a baton and some rocks – approached us and began to threaten us. For our own protection, we pulled out our service pistols and we managed to arrest one of the men who was holding the wooden baton.”

The suspect was then taken to the police station where he denied any involvement. He also refused to make a statement, name the woman who was with him, answer questions from investigators or even to inform investigators of his address.

Yesterday morning, the suspect was charged with possession of drugs, illegally growing cannabis plants and intent to sell drugs.

Officers have seized the plants and have handed them over to forensics for further examinations.

Nicosia Judge Alexandros Panayiotou remanded the suspect in police custody for eight days.