site.btaPolice Bust Large-Scale Marijuana-Growing Operation in Sofia

The police discovered on Wednesday morning a marijuana production laboratory with 2,700 plants in it in Sofia's Orlandovtsi residential district, Chief Commissioner Atanas Ilkov, who heads the National Police General Directorate, told a news briefing.

Three people aged between 23 and 60 have been detained. According to Ilkov, one of them has been arrested before for drug dealing.

He explained that at the beginning of the year the police received information about people growing marijuana plants. "We received information that they would be here today [Wednesday and take care of the plants and at that point we arrested the three. We came across a high-tech facility which is extremely sophisticated and with top-notch equipment for growing marijuana," he said. The police chief pointed out that the quantities they were producing were not for street distribution but for larger buyers.

Ilkov added that the lab has been operating for about three months. He explained that neighbors have not smelled anything because the lab was well-ventilated.

Deputy Sofia City Prosecutor Ivo Iliev said that at this stage the three would be charged with cultivation of hemp as well as possession of drugs with intent to distribute.  

"Apart from the large number of pots of plants, several bags containing dry grass-like substance were also found. Within 24 hours, the materials will be reported to the prosecutor's office, where a prosecutor will decide what charges to file against the individuals," he added.

Iliev added that it was yet to be established whether the detainees were part of a criminal group and whether they had sold the drugs on the street themselves.