site.btaAuthorities Seize Heroin Worth Lv 32 Mln

February 16 (BTA) - Bulgarian law enforcers have seized 400 kg of heroin from a container ship at Port Varna West. Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev tweeted on Tuesday that the drug is worth 32 million leva (16.4 million euro). At a news conference, Varna Appellate Prosecutor Vladimir Chavdarov put the price at between 26 million and 36 million leva (between 13.3 million and 18.4 million euro) according to the price schedule used for the purposes of criminal prosecution. Chavdarov added that the market price would be several times higher.

The law enforcement operation was conducted by the Varna Regional Prosecution Office, the Chief Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (CDCOC) and the Customs Agency.

The container ship carrying the heroin arrived in Varna from Dubai on February 7. The drug was hidden in four containers, Chavdarov explained. According to the documentation, the ship was transporting goods originating from Iran. The seller is an Iranian company. Bulgaria was named as the final destination of the cargo, and a company registered in Shoumen, Northeastern Bulgaria (88 km from Varna) and operating in nearby Turgovishte was identified as the recipient.

Two men aged 35 and 45, respectively, were arrested in connection with the case, Chavdarov said. The younger suspect is the owner of the receiving company, and the other one serves with the customs office in Turgovishte. Both will be held in custody for up to 72 hours.

The authorities continue working on the case. CDCOC Deputy Director Iliya Delchev said such a large amount of heroin was probably not intended for the Bulgarian market. It is yet to be clarified what the recipients of the illegal consignment planned to do with it. RY/VE
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