site.btaLaw Enforcers Intercept Drug Trafficking Ring

A drug trafficking ring transiting through Bulgaria has been intercepted in a joint operation of the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, the Regional Police Directorate in Plovdiv and the State Agency for National Security, the Interior Ministry said on Thursday. The special operation was carried out following a tip about a light truck that was going to transport the goods along the Trakiya motorway. It has been established that the drug had originated from Western Europe and was destined bound for Turkiye.

The vehicle was stopped for inspection and the identity of the driver was established - a 47-year-old citizen of North Macedonia convicted of smuggling. During the subsequent search of the vehicle, the teams found a total of 24 boxes filled with packages containing marijuana. The seized drugs exceeded 130 kg.

In the course of the investigation, a 43-year-old man from Vratsa (Northwest Bulgaria) with permanent residence in the capital Sofia was arrested. A search was carried out at his home and at the truck on information that he had loaded the drugs into the truck.

The two men have been detained. Pre-trial proceedings have been opened under the Plovdiv District Prosecutor's Office.