Bulgarian authorities seize illegal fuel and cigarettes

Bulgarian law enforcement agencies have conducted significant seizures of substandard fuel and undocumented tobacco products during recent inspections.

Between October 5 and 7, authorities inspected 16 gas stations across Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Ruse, Pleven, Haskovo, and Pernik. In five of these locations, officials discovered over 8,000 liters of substandard fuel, including 4,627 liters of diesel and 3,571 liters of gasoline that failed to meet required standards. The joint operation involved the Ministry of Interior, Customs Agency, National Revenue Agency, and the State Agency for Metrological and Technical Surveillance. More than 20 administrative violations were recorded.

In a separate incident on the Struma motorway near Marikostinovo, customs officials intercepted a truck traveling from Greece. The inspection revealed 9.6 million undocumented cigarettes branded with a known label, valued at approximately 1.84 million euros. A 59-year-old driver has been charged in connection with the possession of these excise goods without required stamps.