site.btaVan with 40 Migrants Intercepted near Montana, Driver Was DUI

Forty undocumented foreigners, who identified as Syrian citizens, were found during a search of a van near the village of Asparuhovo, Northwest Bulgaria, on Thursday, the Montana Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior reported. The vehicle owned by a company in Sofia, was carrying 24 men, 4 women, and 11 children.

The migrants - 25 men, four women and 11 children - were detained overnight at the Regional Police Station in Lom, on the Danube. They will be transferred to a specialized home for temporary accommodation of foreigners.

The driver of the van had no driver's licence and was under the influence of amphetamines. He was detained for 72 hours. The search of the vehicle uncovered 0.97 grams of amphetamines and 1.08 grams of marijuana.

Another man with a criminal record, who was driving a car in front of the bus allegedly to scout for it, was also detained. Mobile radios were seized from both vehicles.

Four pre-trial proceedings have been initiated.