Cyprus Police conducted a nationwide overnight operation on 26 July 2026 that resulted in nine arrests for offences including illegal stay, illegal entry and drug possession. According to the force’s Communication Branch, more than 450 vehicles and almost 600 individuals were checked at strategic points in Nicosia, Limassol, Paphos and the Larnaca–Famagusta corridor. The sweep forms part of the deputy migration ministry’s summer plan to reduce irregular migration and informal employment before peak tourist arrivals in August. Under the plan, mixed police–immigration teams target areas around construction sites, hospitality hubs and intercity bus terminals, using mobile fingerprint scanners linked to the Civil Registry and Migration Department’s database. Of the nine people detained, four face deportation for overstaying visas, two were found to have entered the Republic through non-designated ports in the north, and three were charged with unrelated narcotics and theft offences but will also have their immigration status reviewed. Six vehicles were impounded and 260 traffic fines were issued, underscoring the multi-agency nature of the checks. For employers, the message is clear: authorities are tightening workplace inspections. Companies caught employing third-country nationals without valid permits can be fined up to €4,000 per employee and risk suspension of operating licences. Human-resources managers should therefore audit staff records, confirm that seasonal workers hold the correct Pink Slips or Category C permits, and brief front-line supervisors on ID-checking obligations. The police say similar operations will “continue daily” through the end of the tourist season. Businesses relying on casual labour—particularly in food & beverage and construction—should anticipate short-notice spot checks and budget time for employee re-verification.
Source: Cyprus Police News
