Woman Jailed For Six Years Over Import Of Four Kilograms Of Cannabis

The court took into account the large quantity of drugs as an aggravating factor, while also considering in the defendant’s favour her admission of guilt and lack of prior convictions.

The case against Gelgeç, who faced charges of importing and possessing approximately four kilograms of cannabis, was concluded at the Nicosia High Criminal Court. She was sentenced to six years in prison.

State Prosecutor İbrahim Ruso presented the facts of the case after the defendant admitted all charges.

The prosecutor stated that the defendant attempted to import the drugs into the north via the Metehan Border Gate in December 2025, acting on instructions from a Syrian individual in the south. Messages between the defendant and the Syrian individual were submitted to the court as evidence. It was also noted that the defendant had been in custody awaiting trial since 19 December 2025.

Following the prosecution’s submissions, the defence delivered a plea in mitigation.

The defence stated that the defendant married a Turkish national and was subsequently disowned by her family. It was further claimed that the couple later settled in the south after her spouse acquired citizenship, where she allegedly began experiencing ongoing violence. A complaint was reportedly filed with both southern and northern police in July 2025 following an incident of violence.

The defence noted that the defendant was tried in the south and sentenced to three months’ imprisonment. After her release, she was arrested in the north in September.

It was further stated that following her release on bail under conditions including travel restrictions and surety, she moved into a small hotel with her spouse, who later passed away.

The defence said that after her husband’s death, creditors came to her home and that she was left in financial difficulty, working in a supermarket in the south on a salary of 1,300 euros per month while caring for her three children aged 13, 9 and 7.

It was also stated that the 13-year-old child suffers from kidney disease and has undergone surgery, with further operations expected.

The defence argued that the defendant, unable to meet medical expenses or repay debts left by her late husband, was told by the Syrian creditor that her debt would be cancelled if she transported the drugs, leading her to commit the offence.

It was noted that her children are currently under the care of social services in the south and that the defendant is deeply remorseful. The defence requested leniency from the court.

Delivering the verdict, Presiding Judge Füsun Cemaller, alongside Senior Judge Vedia Berkut Barkın and Judge Gülay Uğur, stated that the defendant had been found guilty on all charges.

Judge Cemaller said drug offences are among the most serious and widespread crimes, posing a threat to public health and particularly to young people, and therefore require effective and deterrent sentences in the public interest.

She added that the quantity of drugs involved was substantial and capable of affecting many individuals, which was considered an aggravating factor.

However, the court also noted that cannabis is among the least severe types of narcotics, which was taken into consideration in favour of the defendant.

Other mitigating factors included the defendant’s early admission of guilt, acting under the influence of another person, lack of prior convictions, and being a mother of three children.

Given the quantity of drugs involved, the court concluded that a lengthy custodial sentence was appropriate and sentenced Gelgeç to six years in prison.