Bulgaria police seize 50,000 illegal vapes near Sofia

Police from Sofia’s Capital Directorate of Internal Affairs (SDVR) and the Economic Police carried out a raid on a warehouse near the village of Yana, on the outskirts of the capital. The operation uncovered more than 50,000 electronic‑cigarette devices that had not paid the excise tax introduced in Bulgaria in 2026. Over 80 boxes of the unregistered vapes were confiscated.

A 42‑year‑old man, known to law‑enforcement authorities, was detained as investigators continue to trace the origin of the stock, the distribution channels and any possible accomplices. The seizure follows a series of recent crackdowns, including a 2023 customs stop of 1,600 contraband vapes and the European Commission’s ban on disposable vape devices in Bulgaria. Officials say the case highlights ongoing smuggling and tax‑evasion efforts in the e‑cigarette market.