Illegal cannabis cultivation in Bulgarian mountains

Bulgarian authorities have reported a surge in illegal cannabis cultivation across several mountain ranges in the southwest, including the Pirin, Rila, Maleshevska, Belasitsa, and Ograzhden regions. Criminals are reportedly using dense forests to conceal plantations from detection.

Law enforcement agencies, including the Petrich Border Police Station and the Specialized Aerial Observation Unit, have conducted specialized operations using helicopters and ground teams to locate these sites. In one operation in the Sugarevo area of the Sandanski municipality, officers discovered a plantation covering approximately 1,600 square meters containing 1,546 plants weighing a total of 3,215 kg. An additional 28 kg of plants were located in the Ograzhden mountains near Baskaltsi.

All seized crops were destroyed by burning. Authorities have initiated pre-trial proceedings and are investigating reports of suspicious fires in the Ilindentsi area, which may have been intentional attempts to destroy crops ahead of police activity.