Cyprus police ‘dismantled’ eight illegal operational casinos across Larnaca’s Pyla village at around 4am Wednesday morning.
Police conducted the coordinated operation in order to continue their ongoing assault on illegal gambling and arrest those responsible.
The operation took place under UN auspices with this representing the first joint venture between Cyprus Police and the occupied areas’ so-called ‘police force’.
The eight illegal casinos were run both by Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.
SigmaLive Greek learnt that “dozens of arrests” were made, most being Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots, but no official announcement as to exactly how many was released.
Equipment found on the scene confiscated as evidence.
Police restricted access into (and exiting) Pyla during the early hours while the operation was taking place, with media not allowed “so that investigations can be carried out efficiently and without distractions,” reported SigmaLive Greek.
A local resident told SigmaLive on Wednesday morning that “everyone knew [illegal casinos were operating] but no one was talking about them operating in these specific premises.”
The resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, noted that for some time Pyla residents “were living in a climate of insecurity,” due to the illegal activity of the casinos.
Read more here.
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