Serious concern has been raised by the revelation that a massive shipment of detonators and ammunition was seized at the port of Ancona in Italy, reportedly destined for Cyprus. Italy’s financial police Guardia di Finanza discovered in a truck over 10 million detonators and approximately 314,000 rounds of ammunition.
The cargo, which departed from Bologna, was declared as “miscellaneous goods” and was to be transported by passenger ferry via Greece to Cyprus. According to Customs Department spokesperson Giorgos Constantinou, the quantity is extremely large and causes justified concern.
While quantities of civilian-use ammunition can be large in commercial shipments, 10 million detonators — containing explosive materials — pose a serious risk. Transport via a passenger vessel violates safety regulations.
The truck driver has been charged with illegal possession, transport of ammunition, and use of forged documents. Cypriot customs authorities immediately activated their liaison channels with foreign services.
