site.btaSynthetic Drug Lab Busted in Sliven

A laboratory producing illicit synthetic drugs was uncovered in Sliven, the regional police said in a press release earlier this month.

On December 20 law enforcers searched a weekend house on the outskirts of the city. They arrested two local residents aged 49 and 33, respectively, who were making synthetic drugs in the house. The men were on record for past crimes.

The police found two five-litre containers holding liquids. The content of one of them tested positive for methamphetamine. The officers impounded drug precursors, a large number of pills and many other substances and objects apparently used in the production of illicit narcotics.

In the home of one of the two suspects the police found 2 kg of tea for smoking and 11 plastic containers holding a variety of liquids. Again, the content of one of them tested positive for methamphetamine. The officers impounded 250 grammes of crystal meth and large amounts of used blister packs and ampoules.

The 49-year-old man is charged with producing high-risk drugs intended for distribution, Sliven District Prosecutor's Office (DPO) Spokesperson Vanya Beleva told BTA. He has been previously sentenced for drug-related crimes and other offences, including fraud. This time, on conviction, he may face up to 15 years' imprisonment.

The pretrial proceedings continue under the DPO's supervision.