site.btaTwo Arrested in Dimitrovgrad for Firearms, Munitions Possession and Trafficking

Two individuals from Dimitrovgrad were detained on charges of possessing and trafficking more than 300 firearms, components, and ammunition after a raid by the Directorate General for Combating Organized Crime (DGCOC), Haskovo District Prosecutor Ivan Stoyanov said at a press conference. He revealed that arrests followed searches at 10 private addresses across Haskovo, Dimitrovgrad, and Sofia, with special intelligence means employed in the investigation.

DGCOC’s raid found a large cache of weapons at multiple locations. Confiscated items included three Kalashnikov assault rifles, 120 rounds of ammunition, six additional rifles, a component with an optical sight, 24 pistols with cartridges, 10 revolvers, over 300 pistol cartridges, various other parts, 41 magazines, and 14 pistol grips. Rifle stocks, barrels, and assorted metal plates were also found at the addresses. Many of the firearms had altered serial numbers. Investigations and expert evaluations into these findings are currently ongoing.

Two Bulgarian citizens from Dimitrovgrad, age 58 and 48, have been detained. Supervising Prosecutor Krasimira Neycheva from the Dimitrovgrad Prosecution Service confirmed that both individuals have no prior criminal records or convictions. She reported that charges have been filed for possession and trafficking of illegal weapons and ammunition in significant quantities. Despite one individual holding a legal weapons permit, multiple illegal firearms were discovered in their possession. Investigations have documented two transactions, though it remains unclear if the weapons were intended for domestic sale or export.

DGCOC Deputy Director Kalin Litov said that at the end of 2023 the directorate has exposed a network engaged in procuring and restoring decommissioned weapons for sale. Evidence suggests that these weapons were acquired, reactivated, and subsequently marketed. Parts of these arms were disassembled and distributed to purchasers through shipping companies.

Coordinator of ground operations for DGCOC Marian Mitkov said that the majority of weapons seized in the recent raid were designated for criminal groups within the country. He added that efforts to fully uncover the operation are continuing.

The accused could face three to ten years in prison for weapons possession and two to eight years for their sale, if convicted.