Burgas police dismantle underwater drug trafficking channel to Turkey

drug trafficking underwater drone marijuana seizure police corruption Black Sea

Bulgarian authorities have dismantled an innovative drug trafficking operation in the Burgas region that utilized an underwater jet to transport narcotics across the Black Sea to Turkey. During the specialized operation conducted by the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDBOP), police seized over 100 kilograms of marijuana, valued at approximately 1 million euros locally and up to 5 million euros in the Turkish market.

Two men, aged 43 and 53, were arrested. Investigators found that the suspects used an underwater device capable of reaching depths of 40 meters to tow a small boat loaded with drugs. The suspects reportedly operated with high levels of secrecy, frequently changing vehicles, including using rental cars, to evade detection.

The crackdown coincided with significant leadership changes within the Burgas police department. Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev announced the dismissal of several high-ranking officials, including heads of criminal, economic, and security police. Demerdzhiev stated these removals were prompted by unacceptable ties between top police officers and external criminal structures, specifically mentioning businessman Nikolay Filipov.

Entities

Black Sea · Burgas · Burgas District Prosecutor's Office · GDBOP · Ivan Demerdzhiev · Ministry of Interior · Nikolay Filipov

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] The operation involved an underwater jet capable of reaching depths of 40 meters. trafficnews.bg · fakti.bg · petel.bg
[● 7 SOURCES] Police dismantled an innovative underwater drug trafficking channel in the Burgas region. a-specto.bg · trafficnews.bg · e-vesti.co.uk · safenews.bg · fakti.bg · +1 more
[● 2 SOURCES] Massive personnel changes in the Burgas police department were triggered by corruption and ties to external criminal structures. a-specto.bg · e-vesti.co.uk
[● 3 SOURCES] The seized marijuana has an estimated value of over 1 million euros in Bulgaria and up to 5 million euros in Turkey. safenews.bg · petel.bg
[● 2 SOURCES] Several high-ranking police officials in Burgas were dismissed following allegations of improper connections. a-specto.bg · e-vesti.co.uk
[DISPUTED] Authorities seized over 100 kilograms of marijuana during the operation. a-specto.bg · trafficnews.bg · e-vesti.co.uk · safenews.bg · fakti.bg · +1 more
[DISPUTED] Two men, aged 43 and 53, were arrested in connection with the trafficking ring. trafficnews.bg · safenews.bg · petel.bg
[● 4 SOURCES] The drugs were intended for trafficking to Turkey via the Black Sea. trafficnews.bg · safenews.bg · petel.bg