Bulgaria police arrest 12 in customs and tax fraud scheme

Bulgarian authorities, including the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDBOP) and the State Agency for National Security (DANS), have dismantled an organized crime group involved in customs and tax fraud. The operation, conducted on November 5, 2026, targeted the illegal import of goods from China through smuggling or the declaration of undervalued prices to evade customs duties and VAT.

Twelve individuals were detained during raids across Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, and Vratsa. Among those arrested are four customs officials, including two in leadership positions at the Varna Customs Directorate. Seven of the detainees have been formally charged. Authorities seized approximately 100,000 euros in cash, electronic devices, computer data, and stamps belonging to Chinese companies.

Interior Minister Ivan Demerzhiev stated that the scheme caused damages to the state budget amounting to millions of euros. He emphasized that investigations are ongoing and that such operations against corruption within state structures will continue.