site.btaPolice Operation in Bulgaria, Spain Arrests Criminal Group for Spreading Counterfeit Euro Banknotes in EU

Sofia, August 24 (BTA) - An international police operation has neutralized an organized criminal group involved in spreading fake euros in EU countries, the Interior Ministry said Thursday. The operation included officers from the Chief Directorate for Combatting Organised Crime and the Bank Falsification Combat Brigade with the National Bank of Spain. The operation was conducted under the supervision of Bulgaria's Specialised Prosecution Office with the support of Europol and Eurojust.

Fifteen members of the group were arrested - nine in Spain and six in Bulgaria. Each group member operating on the territory of Bulgaria played a specific role.

A 46-year-old man was detained at Sofia Airport on August 21 in an attempt to smuggle out counterfeit banknotes worth 20,000 euro. He has been sentenced for appropriating and possessing an illegal weapon. Subsequently, other members of the organized criminal group were arrested in Sofia and Pazardjik. Another member of the group is wanted nationwide.

Subsequent searches found and confiscated some 100,000 leva in different currencies on the property of one of the arrested, firearms, as well as marijuana and cocaine in the car in which he was intercepted.

One of the detainees has been released on a 10,000 leva bail, the other one remains in remand. Investigation continues under the supervision of the Specialised Prosecution Office.