Larnaca: Police Operation Targets Criminal Organization

In Larnaca, police arrested five individuals, including a convict from the Central Prisons, for involvement in a criminal organization. The arrested individuals face charges including participation in a criminal organization, conspiracy, extortion, and money laundering from illegal activities.

The investigation began after a forensic examination of mobile phones seized from the 22-year-old convict, who is accused of attempted murder of a businessman in 2025. The examination revealed 19 videos, in which the suspect is shown displaying large sums of money and concealing objects, possibly narcotics.

In a video, the 22-year-old refers to cooperation with other suspects and income from a nightclub in the Mackenzie area. Police also located meetings of the 2nd suspect with the 1st suspect, who is allegedly the head of a criminal organization operating in Larnaca and controlling drug trafficking and the provision of protection to nightclubs.

The 1st suspect, according to the police, had no declared income for the years 2020-2022, while since 2023 he has been working for the 5th suspect with low wages. Police conducted a financial investigation and found that the declared income is inconsistent with the value of their assets.

Police believe the events confirm information about rival criminal organizations trying to control the provision of protection in the city. The Larnaca District Court will decide on January 26 on the police request to detain the suspects.