Northern Cyprus police carry out large‑scale public order and traffic checks

Police forces in the Turkish‑controlled area of Cyprus conducted simultaneous public‑order and traffic inspections in the districts of Lefkoşa, Gazimağusa, Girne, Güzelyurt and İskele. The operations, involving the Narcotics and Smuggling Prevention Directorate and the Special Operations Unit, targeted entertainment venues, gambling halls, liquor outlets and areas with high public traffic.

In Lefkoşa, 3,924 drivers were checked, 654 traffic offences recorded and 37 vehicles were prohibited from the roads; one driver was arrested. Authorities also fined 36 people for illegal gambling, seized a 7.65 mm pistol, 10 g of cannabis‑type material, synthetic cannabinoids and MDMA‑containing tablets, and arrested one person on drug‑related charges.

Gazimağusa saw 1,210 drivers inspected, 307 offences logged and 13 vehicles banned; three drivers were detained. Twenty‑seven gambling‑related fines were issued and three individuals were arrested for possessing synthetic cannabinoids.

In Girne, 49 people received penalties for violating gambling bans and six entertainment establishments were ordered to close for operating without proper licences. Additional arrests and vehicle bans were recorded in Güzelyurt and İskele, bringing the total to over 5,000 drivers examined, more than 1,000 traffic violations, dozens of fines, several vehicle prohibitions and multiple drug‑related arrests across the five districts.