site.btaProsecution Service, Interior Ministry Report Work by Joint Unit Set Up to Support Combat against Illegal Migration and Drug Trafficking

The prosecution service and the Interior Ministry held a joint news conference Thursday to report the work by a joint unit set up in early August to support the combat against illegal migration and drug trafficking. Between August 1 and 25, the law enforces have opened 479 pretrial proceedings against organized crime groups and individuals for crimes related to illegal drugs, and 220 cases for people trafficking and illegal migration.

During the same period, 612 individuals were arrested for drug possession, distribution and trafficking. 401 specialized police operations led to the seizure of 2,364 kg of cannabis and 1,000 l of drug precursors. The law-enforcers found cannabis greenhouses and a high-tech lab for synthetic drugs, among others. 

The results that the unit reported in the combat against illegal migration, included 502 specialized police operations and 202 enforceable court decisions for illegal trafficking across the border of people of groups of people, or for aiding foreign nationals in crossing or staying in Bulgaria illegally.

Speaking to the media at the news conference were prosecutor and unit head Ilian Rangelov, prosecutor Georgi Assenov of the Supreme Cassation Prosecution Office, Commissioner Angel Papalezov, who heads a criminal police unit at the National Police, and Senior Commissioner Dimiter Kangaldzhiev, deputy head of the Directorate General for Combatting Organized Crime. 

Rangelov said that in addition to countering drug-related crimes and human trafficking and illegal migration, the unit has a strong preventive and awareness raising campaign targeting youths.