site.btaCustoms Seize Smuggled Cigarettes Worth Nearly BGN 180,000 at Kapitan Andreevo Border Crossing

A total of 571,200 pieces (28,560 packs) of smuggled cigarettes, hidden in cutting machines in a truck, were seized during an inspection at the Kapitan Andreevo border crossing point, the Regional Press Centre of Svilengrad Customs said on Sunday.

The truck had entered Bulgaria from Turkiye on May 1, and the case was part of the anti-smuggling operation of the joint teams from four institutions - Customs Agency, Border Police, General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and the National Revenue Agency.

The driver, a Turkish national, presents regular documents for the transported goods - four cutting machines, from Turkiye to Germany. The vehicle was selected for a thorough customs inspection, including an X-ray, which revealed suspicious densities in the cargo. During the subsequent physical inspection, after cutting the metal lids in the factory cavities of the body of the machines, a total of 571,200 pieces (28,560 packs) of cigarettes without Bulgarian excise duty were found. The excise goods worth BGN 179,928 were seized.

Pre-trial proceedings have been initiated in the case under the supervision of the Haskovo Regional Prosecution Office, the customs added.