Customs officials at Paphos airport seized large quantities of tobacco products from two British passengers on Thursday, authorities confirmed on Friday.

The two women were stopped before boarding flights to the United Kingdom. Officers said the items did not carry the required health warnings in Greek and Turkish, nor did they have the official safety features and unique tracking codes. These are indications that the products were untaxed.

In the first passenger’s luggage, customs found 97 cartons of 200 cigarettes each, and 287 packs of 20 cigarettes. The second passenger’s luggage contained 115 cartons of 200 cigarettes and 4 packs of 20 cigarettes. All items were confiscated.

Both passengers were arrested for offences committed in the presence of authorities. They were held in custody overnight and are due to appear before the Paphos district court, where authorities will request a four-day remand.

Customs officials said the operation followed the assessment of intelligence and aimed to prevent the illegal transport of tobacco products.