A massive quantity of cocaine was seized in suitcases inside a car belonging to diplomats at the Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint, BGNES reported.

Three individuals have been charged—a Bulgarian citizen, a national of the Republic of the Congo accredited as a diplomat in Belgium, and a 54-year-old Belgian woman, according to Haskovo District Prosecutor Ivan Stoyanov. On July 18, the three individuals attempted to smuggle nearly 206 kilograms of cocaine from Bulgaria into Turkey using a passenger vehicle. The total value of the cocaine is estimated at BGN 37,069,200.

The crime is punishable by 15 to 20 years in prison and a fine ranging from BGN 200,000 to 300,000. The vehicle was driven by the Bulgarian citizen, with the other two suspects as passengers. The drugs were found in five hard-shell suitcases—four in the trunk and one on the rear seat behind the driver. The vehicle was selected for inspection, and upon opening the luggage, 179 packages of a powdery substance were found, which tested positive for cocaine. The three suspects were detained for 72 hours, and the Haskovo District Prosecutor’s Office is preparing to request a permanent remand order, Stoyanov clarified.

Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova stated that this is a record—the largest quantity ever seized by Customs at a land border. “When institutions work together and cooperate effectively, the results are strong. We are demonstrating that Bulgaria is successfully protecting the EU’s borders,” Petkova emphasized.

Daniel Mitov noted that after four years of political stagnation, this operation shows what can be achieved when institutions work in sync, and that this approach must continue. He also underscored the international significance of the operation. “The seizure of this entire quantity of drugs involves an organized criminal group operating within EU member states. We will engage in discussions with them to determine what exactly occurred, but this was an entirely Bulgarian operation,” Mitov stated.

The inspection was conducted using a customs dog and an X-ray scan, which confirmed that the suitcases contained only drug packages. “We then asked the individuals to open the luggage,” said Stefan Bakalov, Head of the Anti-Drug Trafficking Department at Customs.

“This is the largest cocaine seizure at a land border in our country,” Bakalov added. Authorities are also working to trace the origin of the cocaine.

Georgi Dimov, Director of the Customs Agency, reported that the vehicle had entered Bulgaria from Serbia. “The situation was analyzed, and at no point was there any danger. However, there are aspects that go beyond current events and cannot be disclosed,” Dimov commented.

Boyan Raev, head of the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDBOP), noted that the operation showcases full coordination among Bulgaria’s law enforcement bodies. The identity of the individual with a diplomatic card has been confirmed. “We are also identifying the involvement of other individuals connected to the trafficking of drugs through Bulgaria. Partner organizations have been notified, and much work remains. Those who provided logistical support are currently being identified. We have information, but I cannot share it at this time,” Raev stated. | BGNES