Bulgarian Border Authorities Seize $7 Million of Marijuana
Jerusalem, 8 January, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Kapitan Andreevo Border Checkpoint (BTA) – An attempt to smuggle 739 kg of marijuana worth over 6 million euros ($7 million) was prevented at the Border Checkpoint (BCCP) “Kapitan Andreevo” in a joint operation by customs, the prosecutor’s office, the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDBOP) and the Border Police, Haskovo District Prosecutor Ivan Stoyanov announced at a press conference at the checkpoint.
The traffic was discovered during an inspection of a cargo train with Polish registration, leaving Bulgaria for Turkey, before noon on January 6. The high-risk narcotic substance was found in the semi-trailer, the main cargo being household appliances. The truck was driven by a 49-year-old Polish citizen and was traveling on a destination from the Netherlands to Turkey, Stoyanov explained. 626 packages of dry green leafy mass, which reacted to marijuana, were found in the cargo compartment. The driver has been charged and a detention measure of up to 72 hours has been imposed on him, the state prosecutor added.
“The selection and analysis of the vehicle were carried out by our employee with extensive experience,” said Stefan Bakalov, head of the “Fighting Drug Trafficking” department at the Customs Agency. He revealed that the price of a gram of marijuana in neighboring Turkey is 30-40 euros ($35-$40) per gram, which makes smuggling profitable. In addition, Turkey is a kind of drug hub for the Middle East, Bakalov added.
“We are in contact with partner services and I expect to provide more information on the case to the prosecutor’s office within days, said deputy director of the Directorate for Drug Trafficking, Emil Borisov. “For us, drug trafficking is always related to organized crime.”
The prosecutor’s office is expected to submit a request to the Haskovo District Court to impose a permanent preventive measure “Detention in custody” against the alleged drug trafficker on Friday, Haskovo District Prosecutor Ivan Stoyanov said.
