Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Crossed at Metehan yesterday afternoon (dropping Family off at Larnaca) got through the Greek side. We were stopped by a man standing outside the customs office, in a very aggressive voice he asked Luggage, we said yes, he pointed for us to park to the left. He told us to get out the car and show him the luggage cases. "Have you got cigarettes" he asked, we replied no, he said "are you sure" to which we all replied, "non of us smoke and we do not have any cigarettes" He pointed to one hand luggage bag and said "open it" a cursory glance and he moved one item to the side and said ok. "Open that one", again a cursory glance. He was most disappointed not finding any cigarettes for "his own personal consumption".
He is one of the scruffiest, rudest, aggressive officials I have ever come across.

He had no ID badge, no uniform and something written in Greek on the back of his coat ( a translation was probably A***HOLE). He could have been and probably was a chancer standing there in the hope of getting a cigarette stash. I did not want to ask for proof of ID, as if he was legitimate, it would have P****D him off even more and may have led to a further delay in our departure and the thought of him putting his rubber gloves on was all to much!!

He told us to close the boot and go. If he had been legitimate, then surely he should have checked all the luggage and also the inside of the car.

Whatever he was people in predicaments like this need to be comfortable in challenging people like this. He is representing an EU partner and as such should be challenged to that fact. Pen and paper at the ready always is my stance. If you are sure you're not causing an infringement of green line regs you need to go for it. Stating first that you are a European citizen. Name? Which department are you from? Why are you checking me today? And do not desist until you have his name. All government officials from EU states are required to identify themselves.

We've had the same experience at Metahan, with a man not dressed in uniform. We did have cigarettes that we had bought in the South and had the corresponding receipts. He insisted on inspecting every packet to check and kept us there for about 10 minutes, most disappointed when he realized he couldn't confiscate any of them! He was accompanied by a very nice woman Customs Officer who was very polite and thanked me nicely when this man had finished. I wonder if it was the same man.

We crossed at Metehan last Saturday after an Alpha Mega/metro/Lidl shopping trip and were stopped on the way back by the Turkish side and had our shopping checked. First time that's happened.

8 years ago I had BA air miles to use up so same sonareo head in the back of the people carrier asking for cigarettes
Could not understand him properly so in true talking to someone who is not grasping what I said spoke slowly and loudly
No I don't smoke so I cant give you a cigarette
Smoking is bad for you
He didn't get to the search point and waived us through
Wife then tells me off
Why I said she had 200 cigarettes for a friend
We rareley fly into the south but never out

Reminds me of a flight into Larnaca from Cairo one time about 6-7 years ago.

I think the airport was still being finished off at the time, the new terminal.

While I was waiting I was questioned by 2 ladies, so I made up the 'on business/holiday in Nicosia' story. They were fishing for the 'do you live here/where' info.

My 2 bags were first off the plane, so onto the trolley and off I walked towards customs.

Standing centre of the walkway was a jumped up official who clearly was nowhere near as important as he wanted to be, hands on hips.

As I drew closer he pointed directly to my face and then to the desk alongside. It was as much as I could do to keep a straight face.

He pointed to on bag and very aggressively said "cigarettes!", not as a question but as a statement.

I replied "no thank you, I don't smoke .............. actually never have and probably never will now" which of course drew a very vacant stare.

He pointed to the other bag, and in the same manner said "cigarettes!"

I replied "no, I still do not smoke"

After a huff, he said "Go!" again very aggressively.

I walked on with a chuckle that he heard, very relieved that he had not opened the bigger of the 2 bags and seen the 2 pool chlorinators that were in there brought to Egypt for me by a colleague that traveled there from Australia.