The Cyprus Police is releasing data from its action against drug trafficking on the occasion of today's World Day against Drug Use and Illicit Trafficking[/B].[/B] Specifically, from 2018 to date, more than 1,200 kilograms of drugs have been seized.
In a message, the Chief of Police, Stelios Papatheodorou, says that "this particular day is an opportunity for reflection and reflection on the social phenomenon of drug addiction, a painful reality for our country, with serious and often tragic and multifaceted consequences for human existence. It is a phenomenon that is emerging and expanding mainly because of the many and complex social problems that we as a society, especially today, are called upon to deal with."
"As the Police", continues Mr Papatheodorou, "by listening to the concerns of society, we have from the very first moment set among our priorities the formulation of a targeted policy to address the phenomenon. In order to achieve the above objective, we are implementing actions aimed at reducing the supply in relation to the whole spectrum of trafficking, distribution and purchase of illegal addictive substances, reducing crime related to illegal addictive substances, as well as the effective control and containment of new psychotropic substances that emerge."
The Chief of Force also stresses that "our primary objective is to arrest dealers and traffickers and seize quantities of drugs before they are diverted to the illicit market. The action of the Police in this area is reflected in the continuous and uninterrupted activity of the Anti-Drugs Service. The data on the action of the DEA is tangible and measurable".
In particular, from 2018 to 2021, 995 kilograms of cannabis, 64 kilograms of cocaine and several other types of illegal toxic substances have been seized, while in the current year the police have also achieved significant hits in the trafficking of illegal substances in our country.
Specifically, from 01/01/2022 to 31/05/2022, the Y.CA.N. managed to seize approximately 174 kilograms of cannabis, 58 cannabis plants as well as 15 kilograms of cocaine. "These quantities of seizures are a strong indication of the commitment of the Police to limit as much as possible the quantities of drugs illegally trafficked in the market and to arrest and bring to justice the dealers and traffickers of illegal substances," the Chief notes.
He adds that "the above successes of the Police, despite the initial euphoria they may cause, nevertheless, bare the real truth about the dimension of the phenomenon in our country, since the supply largely indicates the demand that exists for the purchase and use of such substances".
"To this challenge, the Police does not remain indifferent. As an institution of the State, with an anthropocentric orientation, it offers services, to the extent of its capabilities, to the individual, to the family, to society. We coordinate with the broader policy of the state for a comprehensive and integrated approach, which pays special attention to human beings and especially to young people hiding behind the use of illegal substances," he added.
"The Police," he explained, "has a key responsibility to support and save human life."
"The Police has a key responsibility to support and save human life. Therefore, we undertake targeted preventive interventions, which are provided by the Prevention Bureau of the Ministry of Justice through the planning and implementation of preventive actions, presentations, workshops and other events. In addition, the Social Intervention Officers of the mentioned Office provide counselling support to persons who either voluntarily seek assistance from the Police, or are arrested and subsequently, voluntarily, seek specialized assistance. Our ultimate goal is to refer them to specialized centers for treatment and psychological support."
It is noted that in the last three years (2019-2021), 699 persons[/B] have been referred to the Social Intervention Officers of the Y.KA.N. and of these, 254 have been referred to specialized treatment centers. In fact, during the same period of time, meetings were held with 314 persons of their family environment, of which 254 were referred to treatment centres for counselling.
"For us as the Police, with the Anti-Drug Service being the spearhead, every day of the year is equally important in our constant and tireless fight against drug addiction. We are fully aware of our responsibility stemming from our State-mandated mission. Above all, however, our responsibility as human beings, since we are essentially fighting to save human lives. We are therefore tackling the drugs phenomenon in a global and holistic manner. We intensify our daily efforts for prevention and suppression by showing zero tolerance to this scourge that destroys the social fabric, the future of our children, the society of our country.
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