Three Suspects Linked to 13 Kilograms of Drugs Seized at Ercan Airport to Remain in Custody for 8 More Days

Police stated that during the suspects' detention, numerous individuals were questioned and statements were obtained from 6 individuals, while the seized substances were sent for analysis.

During a court appearance, Police Officer Fezile Kesat provided details of the case. The police reported that on April 28, 2024, at 09:00, customs officials at Ercan Airport seized 13 kilograms of cannabis packed in 26 half-kilogram packages from Muhad Baalwan's suitcase.

The police stated that during interrogation, Baalwan confessed to purchasing the drugs from a black individual in Taiwan and intended to deliver them to an unknown person in the TRNC in exchange for €5,000 upon handing over the suitcase. Additionally, the police revealed that Zakarıya Behtaher, who arranged for Baalwan's flight to the TRNC, was intercepted at the Akyar Border Crossing Point while attempting to cross into South Cyprus on April 29, 2024, at around 03:30.

According to the police, Behtaher deleted all correspondence from his phone and destroyed the SIM card upon realizing he would be apprehended. Behtaher denied the allegations during interrogation, claiming not to know Baalwan and to have no involvement in the matter. However, the police discovered evidence of communication between Baalwan and Behtaher on Baalwan's phone, including a photo of the accommodation arranged by Behtaher in the TRNC.

The police further revealed that Osman Süleymanoğulları, identified as the taxi driver hired by Behtaher to take him to the Akyar Border Crossing Point, was also arrested. Süleymanoğulları abandoned plans to travel to South Cyprus upon Behtaher's arrest at the border. He was subsequently apprehended at his residence in Famagusta on the evening of April 29, 2024. During a search of his home, police found one gram of cannabis.

The police mentioned that while they attempted to examine the arrested suspects' phones, Behtaher refused to provide the passcode, and Süleymanoğulları claimed that his phone had malfunctioned. The police emphasized the importance of phone records for the ongoing investigation but lamented that Behtaher had reset his phone and Süleymanoğulları had refused to provide the passcode.

The court granted the police's request for an 8-day extension of the suspects' detention, considering the significance of phone records and the ongoing investigation. The suspects will remain in custody during this period.