site.btaSpecialized Prosecution Service Reports Large Heroin Seizure Worth Lv 25 Mln

Sofia, June 7 (BTA) - Speaking at a briefing here on Monday, the
 head of the specialized prosecution service, Valentina
Madjarova, said that the nearly 500 kilos of heroin detained
during a raid in the southern city of Sliven on June 4 are
valued at 25 million leva. Two persons, who are foreign
nationals, were detained in the raid. The two, whom the court
remanded in custody, have no criminal histories.

The drug originated from Iran and was meant to be sold in
Western Europe. It arrived in Bulgaria by sea at the Varna West
Port, hidden in marble slabs loaded on four containers. In
Bulgaria the heroin was supposed to be extracted from the slabs
and exported. The raid took place when the drug was being
removed from the slabs.

Madjarova gave information about another operation of the
specialized prosecution service - against Angel Papalezov, the
head of the Interior Ministry's Cultural Valuables Unit, who has
 been charged with belonging to a criminal group for trafficking
 in antiques and laundering money. Papalezov has been placed on
recognizance not to leave.

A search of Papalezov's office on June 2 by the prosecution
service yielded cultural valuables, written notes, business
cards of the head and members of the Thrace Foundation of
fugitive gambling tycoon Vassil Bojkov, and other material
evidence.

According to the information provided on Monday, the head of the
 criminal group investigated in the proceeding is Bojkov. NV/ZH