Police are tracing a criminal organisation with links also to other countries, with the alleged mastermind organising criminal acts from a Gulf country where he is believed to be located, following the arrest of three individuals as part of coordinated operations in Limassol. This is in fact the first case set up by the newly established Cypriot FBI and, following investigations mainly into accounts and assets, links were made to the offences under investigation.
The three suspects – a 45‑year‑old police officer, who has previously come to the attention of the police, a 50‑year‑old woman and a 49‑year‑old man (a couple), were placed under detention yesterday to facilitate the investigative work. Serious offences are being investigated against all three, including the formation and participation in a criminal organisation (for the couple), money laundering, false tax declaration, unlawful possession of property and others.
It is noted that remand proceedings took place in two separate processes before different courts at the Nicosia District Courts. The first concerned the remand of the 45‑year‑old police officer and the second that of the couple.
€220,000 and Luxury Vehicle
As regards the 45‑year‑old, according to the investigator of the case, following an evaluation of information, police proceeded with his arrest and assets exceeding €220,000 were restrained, including a luxury vehicle. Police present the 45‑year‑old as a member of a criminal organisation, whose mastermind is a wanted individual against whom an international arrest warrant is pending, issued at the request of the Greek authorities.
According to the investigator, the case under investigation concerns the formation of a criminal organisation allegedly linked to serious criminal acts over the past year. More specifically, it is estimated that the organisation is linked to cases of extortion for the provision of protection to companies and businesses and possibly to drug trafficking.
As stated in court, businessmen and forex companies are being threatened if they refuse to pay the requested amount for protection. Police link the group to recent criminal acts that occurred mainly in Limassol, involving arson attacks and shootings.
From the investigation carried out into the suspect’s bank accounts, covering the years 2020–2026, deposits were identified which do not correspond to his income.
According to police, “transactions and vehicle purchases were identified that are not justified. Between 2020–2026, deposits such as €14,000, €35,000 and €40,000 were found, amounts which conflict with his tax declarations and do not correspond to his salary from the Police.”
Police also identified luxury vehicles which, as stated, belong to the suspect, without any loans or withdrawals having so far been identified to justify their purchase.
In relation to the 45‑year‑old suspect, police established that he travelled several times to Thessaloniki and Athens (14 trips), noting a specific pattern, with travel taking place every two months. For these trips, no bank account movements linked to ticket purchases were identified.
Regarding the €10,000 found in his vehicle at the time of his arrest, he claimed that most of the money belongs to a relative. According to police, during a search of his residence, among other items, a container with bullet fragments and a bullet were found.
Unjustified transfers
Unjustified transfers to their bank accounts and the luxury vehicles they possess appear to have led police to the arrest of the 50‑year‑old and the 49‑year‑old, alongside other information obtained.
According to information from Politis, investigations into the couple began after authorities were informed that the wanted individual believed to be the mastermind of the criminal organisation is a close relative of theirs.
Checks then followed regarding their professional activity and income, revealing that their declared salaries do not correspond to the luxury vehicles they own. Following court orders for examination of their bank accounts, various transfers of large sums were identified that were not sufficiently justified.
A seven‑day detention order was secured against the couple.
