site.btaBorder Police Seize 40.9 kg of Cocaine Hidden in Van at Vidin-Calafat Checkpoint

Border police seized 40.9 kilogrammes of cocaine during an inspection of a van in the area of the Vidin-Calafat border crossing checkpoint, the Border Police Directorate General said on Monday.

On the evening of November 24, 2024, a van loaded with ceramic tiles, originating from Spain, arrived at the Vidin-Calafat border checkpoint entering Bulgaria. The vehicle, driven by a 25-year-old Ukrainian citizen, was stopped for a thorough inspection.

During the inspection, officers discovered a hidden compartment under the van's floor, where seven toner cartridges and 28 vacuum-sealed packages containing a white powdery substance were found. A field test identified the substance as cocaine, which was seized by the authorities.

The driver has been detained for up to 72 hours by order of the supervising prosecutor. Pre-trial proceedings have been initiated under the supervision of the Vidin Regional Prosecution Office.