site.btaKyustendil Court Detains Two Kosovo Citizens for Alleged Large-Scale Smuggling

The Regional Court in Kyustendil approved the request from the Regional Prosecution Service in Kyustendil to detain two Kosovo citizens accused of smuggling goods and items for commercial or production purposes on a large scale, the court's press service said on Tuesday.

Deputy Regional Prosecutor Emil Pavlov told BTA that the law provides for three to ten years’ imprisonment, a fine ranging from BGN 20,000 to BGN 100,000, and confiscation of the contraband items by the State.

The two individuals are charged with committing a serious intentional crime punishable by imprisonment. Although the investigation remains at an early stage, the evidence collected so far suggests the accused took part in the crime.

According to case materials, there is a substantial risk the suspects could flee, as they are foreign nationals without permanent addresses in Bulgaria. The nature of the act, the large quantity of items, and the method of concealment in a specially modified compartment in their vehicle indicate a risk of further criminal activity. Detention is therefore deemed the only appropriate measure at this stage, Judge Nikolay Nikolov reasoned in his ruling.

The Regional Court’s decision may be appealed before the Sofia Court of Appeal.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Sofia Appellate Prosecution Service reported that customs officers at the Gyueshevo border control checkpoint stopped a car at 18:45 on February 9. The vehicle, entering Bulgaria from North Macedonia, carried two Kosovo nationals. During a thorough customs check, inspectors discovered a hidden compartment containing nine yellow-metal items of various shapes and sizes, weighing a total of 2,925 grams. The items were confiscated.