Students accused of buying drugs online sent to prison for 80 days: one released on bail

Three of four young foreign students in northern Cyprus accused of purchasing drugs online were on Thursday sent to prison for 80 days until trial while the fourth suspect was released on bail.

The four suspects identified as TFH, JAT, AM and YK were arrested on April 4 following a search carried out at their residence at the Cyprus International University Dormitory located in Haspolat.

They were brought to court the following day on charges of "Illegal Possession and Procurement of a Controlled Drug (Cannabis)".

The police officer who testified against them in court said, during a court-authorized search of the residence of the suspects TFH and JAT, five hand-rolled cigarettes containing a mixture of tobacco and what was believed to be cannabis were found and taken as evidence.

Following the search, the suspects were caught and arrested. During questioning, a connection was established to other suspects, AM and YK, who were also living at the university New Dormitory address. 

A court-authorized search of their residence revealed six hand-rolled cigarettes containing a mixture of tobacco and suspected cannabis, approximately 2 grams of suspected cannabis, and a gray precision scale believed to have drug residue on it. All items were taken as evidence.

Police noted that the suspects had been brought before the court twice, and an 11-day extension for detention had been granted. 

During the investigation, it was determined that the suspects pooled together 2,000 TL each to purchase 10 grams of drugs for 8,000 TL, which they then shared among themselves. The drugs were reportedly obtained through a seller contacted via the Snapchat app, who left them at a specific location in Haspolat.

Immigration checks revealed that TFH is in the country as a student, while JAT has been residing in the country illegally since April 16, 2024, AM since June 7, 2022, and YK since November 29, 2024. 

The police requested that the suspects be held in custody pending trial.

After evaluating the testimony, the judge ordered that the three suspects residing illegally in the country be held in prison on remand for a period not exceeding 80 days. 

As for TFH, the judge ruled that he should be released on bail on the the conditions that he deposit a cash bail of 50,000 TL, have a Turkish Cypriot citizen sign a personal bail bond worth 600,000 TL, report to the police once a week, and is prohibited from leaving the country until trial.