The total value of assets and funds seized as part of a major organised crime operation in Cyprus has reached €750,000, according to the head of the Organised Crime Combating Directorate (OCCD), Christos Andreou.
Operation Plegma, which is linked to the discovery of more than 230kg of various drugs in February 2026, has so far resulted in 26 arrests and 27 searches.
Speaking to Politis 107.6 & 97.6 radio station's Second Look at the News programme, hosted by Andri Daniel, Andreou said the value of the financial assets frozen had increased significantly since the police first announced the operation.
While the initial announcement referred to €100,000 being frozen in bank accounts, the amount has since risen to €350,000.
Authorities have also seized assets estimated to be worth approximately €400,000. These include a residential property, plots of land, around 10 cars and two motorcycles.
Andreou explained that financial investigations aim to weaken criminal organisations by targeting their economic resources, which are a key factor in enabling them to strengthen and expand their activities.
From a 230kg drug seizure to 26 arrests
Andreou said the operation originated from the discovery of more than 230kg of various narcotic substances in February 2026.
Five people were arrested in connection with the initial case and remain in custody awaiting trial.
Investigations subsequently continued to establish where the drugs were intended to be distributed, whether additional quantities were involved and which other individuals might have been connected to the alleged criminal network.
According to Andreou, investigations had begun approximately six months before the major drug seizure and eventually led to Operation Plegma.
He said the 26 people arrested appear to have been involved in the case in various ways, potentially as associates. Four individuals had been brought before a court, while others were still being questioned.
Firearms, ammunition and more than 1,000 dangerous items seized
During the searches, authorities discovered approximately €25,000 in cash, a pistol and a hunting shotgun, which was found buried in a field.
Police also seized 13 cartridges of various calibres, 534 hunting cartridges, a small quantity of drugs and more than 1,000 potentially dangerous items.
The latter included firecrackers, flares and fireworks.
Separate cases are being investigated in connection with the illegal items discovered during the operation.
The head of the OCCD stressed that, so far, there is no evidence linking those arrested to other unsolved criminal cases. However, he did not rule out the possibility that further information could emerge as interrogations continue.
Operation covered five districts and Central Prisons
Andreou explained that the name Plegma was chosen because the operation covered Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Famagusta and Central Prisons, under a coordinated operational plan.
The operation was carried out by the OCCD with the assistance of the Motorised Immediate Action Unit.
He also provided an update on the directorate, saying it officially began operating on 12 October 2026, although it had already been active on an unofficial basis since the beginning of the year.
Andreou referred to other serious investigations handled by the directorate, including a ketamine case and an investigation conducted in cooperation with Danish and other European authorities into alleged plans to murder two third-country nationals in Cyprus.
He stressed that the directorate aims to make cases public once arrests have been made or charges have been formally filed before the courts, in order to prevent leaks from compromising ongoing investigations.
OCCD rejects 'Cyprus FBI' label
Andreou also clarified that the description 'Cyprus FBI' does not accurately represent the directorate, which is responsible for investigating cases across all districts of the country.
He added that authorities are still awaiting the handover of the directorate's new premises, where its sub-directorates will be based to facilitate better coordination.
