Police seize suspected drug dealer

POLICE have arrested a Nicosia bar owner on suspicion of attempting to deal around 100 grams of cocaine.

The suspect, who is said by police to be 38 and to have dual Cypriot and Lebanese nationality, was arrested by Drug Squad (YKAN) officers as he was walking from his car on Filios Zannetou Street in Nicosia at 6pm on Monday afternoon.

Police sources say the suspect is the owner of a Nicosia bar.

Yesterday, a Nicosia Court remanded the suspect in custody for seven days on suspicion illegal possession of drugs with intent to deal.

“On May 15 this year, we received a tip off informing us that the suspect had recently bought around 300 grams of cocaine from Limassol and that he was intending to sell them to drug users in Nicosia,” YKAN Constable Stavros Vasiliou told the court.

According to the investigator, the suspect was seen moving about suspiciously on Athalassa Avenue near MacDonald’s.

Police followed him until he got to Filios Zannetou Street close to the Kalispera traffic lights.

“After getting out of his car, he was stopped by YKAN officers and searched. After searching his right pocket, a plastic bag containing surgical gloves and 105grams of cocaine were found,” he continued.

“After his arrest, the suspect tried to escape and pushed two of the arresting officers.”
It was during his tussle with officers that the 38-year-old threw two small bags to the ground. They contained two grams of cocaine.

He was later taken back to YKAN Headquarters in Nicosia, where he denied any wrongdoing or that the drugs found on him were his.

After obtaining two different search warrants, police later searched his home and office and managed to find a further gram of cocaine.

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