[REVISION HISTORY]

Bulgarian drug trafficking and police corruption

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2026-09-04 20:44 UTC → 2026-09-07 11:00 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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. ~~Building on these efforts, the General Directorate Border Police recently intercepted a truck~~ Recent operations at the entrance to Burgas have yielded even larger seizures. Following a major interception of a truck containing ~~approximately~~ 100 kilograms of cocaine and 200 kilograms of ~~marijuana.~~ 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 ~~total~~ estimated value of this second shipment ~~is estimated at approximately 12~~ exceeds 15 million ~~euros. Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev described the seizure as a “huge blow against drug trafficking,” emphasizing that~~ euros, and preliminary investigations suggest the ~~operation targeted large-scale distribution channels. District Prosecutor Georgi Chinev added that such actions are vital~~ narcotics were destined for ~~restoring public trust in law enforcement.~~ 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, ~~including heads of criminal, economic, and security police,~~ citing “unacceptable dependencies” and ties to criminal ~~structures and businessman Nikolay Filipov.~~ structures. In other regions, police have targeted various narcotics operations, including a synthetic drug laboratory in Gabrovo and ~~various~~ seizures ~~of amphetamine, methamphetamine, and cocaine~~ in Plovdiv and Veliko Tarnovo.

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