THE SBA Dhekelia Chief Inspector of Operations and Crime yesterday spoke of his satisfaction at the conviction of several criminals this week.
Andreas Pitsillides yesterday told the Cyprus Mail that a major drug dealer was on Tuesday sentenced to seven years in prison for the possession of heroin with intent to supply.
“On July 11, during an intelligence operation, 38-year-old Turkish-Cypriot Tancel Utku of Ayios Tserios was stopped at the Pergamos crossing point within the SBA Dhekelia area,” explained Pitsillides. “After a search of his Turkish-Cypriot registered BMW, police discovered two kilos of very high-quality heroin under the carpet of the front passenger seat. Unfortunately, his passenger managed to escape and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.”
As well as the prison sentence, Utku’s BMW was confiscated by the authorities.
The case was heard at the Senior Judge’s Court at Episkopi.
“The police intelligence operation proved to be a big success,” said the Chief Inspector, “as we have stopped a large quantity of a very dangerous drug from entering the supply chain.”
Pitsillides also told us of the arrest of two Uzbeki illegal immigrants and an accomplice on Monday.
“The incident occurred in the Strovilia area within the SBA Dhekelia,” he said. “Twenty-nine-year-old Huseyin Er of Famagusta had been paid $600 by the two men for his help in facilitating their entry into the Republic of Cyprus from Tymbou Airport.”
On Tuesday, Er pleaded guilty and was sentenced to four months in prison by the SBA Court in Dhekelia, while efforts are currently under way to deport the two Uzbekis with the Famagusta Immigration Department of Cyprus Police.
Pitsillides said Er’s conviction would make others like him think twice. “We are constantly on the lookout for this sort of organised crime,” he added.
On Monday, the base’s Juvenile Cautionary Clinic let off six youths with a caution after they were caught driving vehicles with no licence or insurance.
“The offenders, who are under 16 years of age, attended the court with their parents and were given a presentation on road safety issues as part of our educational campaign.”
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