[REVISION HISTORY]

Varna customs corruption and tax fraud investigation

1 recorded revision of this situation.

What changed

2026-11-05 12:17 UTC → 2026-11-06 14:31 UTC · added ~~removed~~

In late October 2026, customs officials at the Port of Varna, Bulgaria, intercepted two major shipments from China involving undeclared goods and attempts to evade duties. One seizure involved 45,766 undeclared items hidden in a container declared as car wash equipment. A second incident involved the seizure of over 15.7 tons of screws, where importers allegedly attempted to bypass an 86.5% European Union anti-dumping duty through misrepresentation or undervaluation. By early November 2026, the situation escalated into a criminal investigation. ~~Twelve~~ On November 5, 2026, the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDBOP) and the State Agency for National Security (DANS) dismantled an organized crime group involved in customs and tax fraud. Raids conducted in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, and Vratsa led to the detention of twelve individuals, including four customs ~~officials and~~ officials, two ~~high-ranking leaders, were detained during a police operation.~~ of whom held 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 ~~investigation targets an alleged~~ scheme ~~involving smuggling and the declaration of undervalued prices~~ caused damages to ~~evade taxes and customs duties. Law enforcement agencies seized documentation, electronic devices, and cash from~~ the ~~Varna Customs office as part~~ state budget amounting to millions of ~~the probe~~ euros, noting that investigations into corruption ~~and damage to the~~ within state ~~budget.~~ structures are ongoing.

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