site.btaJoint Operation of Customs Agency, General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime Finds 233 Kg Marijuana

A joint operation by officers of the Customs Agency and the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime to the Interior Ministry found 233 kilogrammes of marijuana in 200 vacuum-sealed packages, the Customs Agency said in a press release on Monday.

On November 2, 2024, at the Kulata border crossing point, during a joint operation of the customs officers from the Department for Combating Drug Trafficking and the police officers from the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, the smuggling of a narcotic substance was detected.

Around 1:00 a.m., a cargo composition consisting of a truck and a semi-trailer travelling on a route from Spain via Italy and Greece to Bulgaria was stopped for inspection. The truck was selected for a thorough customs check, during which a specially built cache with a mechanical opening was found in the front wall of the trailer. Inside were found 200 packages containing a high-risk narcotic substance, marijuana, the press releaase reads.

The total quantity of the marijuana was 233.140 kilogrammes.

Pre-trial proceedings are being conducted under the direction of the Blagoevgrad District Prosecution Office.  

The 37-year-old V.M., the driver of the vehicle, was charged with smuggling a high-risk narcotic substance.

By order of a prosecutor from the Blagoevgrad District Prosecution Office, the person was detained for up to 72 hours.

In view of the gravity of the act committed and the real danger of the accused absconding, the supervising prosecutor will submit to the court a request for a detention order against him.

The investigation continues under the supervision of the Blagoevgrad District Prosecution Office.