site.btaLaw Enforcers Prevent Illicit Drug Trafficking in Plovdiv

Officers of the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime and the State Agency for National Security carried out a counter-illicit drug trafficking operation on January 26 on the territory of Plovdiv Municipality under the guidance of the regional prosecution office. Two Bulgarians, aged 66 and 36, and a 52-year-old Turkish national were detained.

The arrests were made in the North Industrial Zone in Plovdiv. Three bags filled with a total of 40 packages wrapped in duct tape were found in and near a vehicle driven by the 66-year-old. Each of the packages contained a green herbaceous substance that tested positive for marijuana in a field drug test. The total amount of illicit drugs seized was 22 kg, worth some BGN 400,275.

Pre-trial proceedings have been initiated, and the investigation is ongoing. The three detainees have been charged under Article 354a of the Penal Code, which stipulates that a person who without due permission manufactures, processes, acquires or detains drugs or analogues thereof to the purpose of distribution, or distributes drugs or analogues thereof, faces a fine and imprisonment from one to twelve years, depending on the risk posed by the drugs.