# Bulgarian drug trafficking and police corruption > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-drug-trafficking-and-police-corruption > Updated: 2026-09-07T09:06:08.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 5. Bulgarian law enforcement has conducted several operations targeting drug trafficking and production across multiple regions. In the Burgas region, the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDBOP) previously dismantled an innovative underwater trafficking route used to transport narcotics across the Black Sea to Turkey. Using an underwater device capable of reaching depths of 40 meters to tow a small boat, traffickers moved marijuana valued at up to 5 million euros in the Turkish market. This operation resulted in the seizure of over 120 kilograms of marijuana and the arrest of three individuals. Recent operations at the entrance to Burgas have yielded even larger seizures. Following a major interception of a truck containing 100 kilograms of cocaine and 200 kilograms of marijuana valued at 12 million euros, authorities conducted another specialized operation. In this subsequent strike, officials discovered over 340 kilograms of cocaine and marijuana—comprising 110 packages of cocaine and 230 packages of marijuana—inside a cargo truck registered in Sofia. The estimated value of this second shipment exceeds 15 million euros, and preliminary investigations suggest the narcotics were destined for Turkey. A 40-year-old driver from Sofia has been detained and charged, though authorities believe he may not have been aware of the full scope of the smuggling scheme. These crackdowns coincided with a significant purge within the Ministry of Interior. Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev ordered the dismissal of several high-ranking officials, citing “unacceptable dependencies” and ties to criminal structures. In other regions, police have targeted various narcotics operations, including a synthetic drug laboratory in Gabrovo and seizures in Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo. ## Claims - Authorities seized over 100 kilograms of marijuana during the operation. (disputed by 7 sources) - Two men, aged 43 and 53, were arrested in connection with the trafficking ring. (disputed by 4 sources) - Police seized over 120 kilograms of marijuana during operations in two locations. (disputed) - Three individuals were arrested in connection with the underwater drug trafficking operation. (disputed) - Police dismantled an innovative underwater drug trafficking channel in the Burgas region. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The operation involved an underwater jet capable of reaching depths of 40 meters. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The drugs were intended for trafficking to Turkey via the Black Sea. (corroborated by 4 sources) - The seized marijuana has an estimated value of over 1 million euros in Bulgaria and up to 5 million euros in Turkey. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Massive personnel changes in the Burgas police department were triggered by corruption and ties to external criminal structures. (corroborated by 2 sources) - A synthetic drug laboratory was discovered in the village of Kashentsi, Tryavna municipality. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-07: Burgas authorities seize 340 kg of cocaine and marijuana Bulgarian police seized over 340 kg of cocaine and marijuana worth an estimated 15 million euros in a truck near Burgas. The drugs were reportedly destined for Turkey. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/burgas-authorities-seize-340-kg-of-cocaine-and-marijuana ### 2026-09-04: Burgas police seize 12 million euro drug shipment Bulgarian police seized approximately 100kg of cocaine and 200kg of marijuana in a truck at the entrance to Burgas, with an estimated value of 12 million euros. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/burgas-police-seize-12-million-euro-drug-shipment ### 2026-08-29: Bulgarian police dismantle underwater drug trafficking channel Bulgarian police dismantled an underwater drug trafficking route in Burgas, seized 120kg of marijuana, and uncovered a synthetic drug lab in Gabrovo amid major anti-corruption purges in the Ministry of Interior 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-police-dismantle-underwater-drug-trafficking-channel ### 2026-08-26: Plovdiv police arrest drug dealer with over 1kg of amphetamine A 30-year-old man was arrested and detained in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, after police seized over a kilogram of amphetamine and other drugs valued at approximately 23,615 euros. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/plovdiv-police-arrest-drug-dealer-with-over-1kg-of-amphetamine ### 2026-08-26: Burgas police dismantle underwater drug trafficking channel to Turkey Bulgarian police dismantled an underwater drug trafficking ring in the Burgas region, seizing over 100kg of marijuana intended for Turkey and dismissing several high-ranking police officials amid corruption. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgarian-police-disrupt-underwater-drug-trafficking-route --- Cite as: Bulgarian drug trafficking and police corruption. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bulgarian-drug-trafficking-and-police-corruption