Cyprus seizes 390kg ketamine shipment likely destined for Israel amid rising European use
Cyprus authorities have seized a massive 390-kilogram shipment of ketamine in Limassol, marking a significant event as the Class B drug’s use surges across Europe. Four suspects have been detained in connection with the shipment, which is believed to have been intended for Israel, as the Cypriot market cannot absorb such large quantities. The ketamine reportedly arrived from Germany by ship and was to be transported onward by yacht.
Cyprus’s Anti Drugs Squad (YKAN) noted that ketamine is almost unknown locally, with only minimal amounts found previously. Commander Christos Andreou highlighted that traffickers often mix ketamine with other substances to create a cheaper alternative to cocaine, known as "pink cocaine." The seizure has prompted collaboration with other European agencies witnessing a spike in ketamine trafficking.
This seizure is part of a broader trend; nearly 1,000 kilograms of various drugs, including cannabis, cocaine, opiates, Captagon, ecstasy, and methamphetamine, have been confiscated in Cyprus so far this year. Larnaca and Paphos airports and Limassol port remain key drug entry points, with the Customs Department playing a critical role in interceptions.
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