site.btaCustoms Agency, UK Authorities Agree to Expand Cooperation on Risk Analysis

The Bulgarian Customs Agency and the UK Home Office will strengthen their cooperation in the field of risk analysis, the Agency's press office said after a meeting with British officials on Wednesday.

The meeting was attended by Customs Agency Director Nikolay Shushkov and a delegation from the UK Home Office led by the Director of Intelligence.

The two sides discussed a number of practical measures, including continuing personnel exchanges, holding joint training activities and further developing technical capabilities. According to the Customs Agency, the visit marks another step in its partnership with the UK Home Office, which covers various aspects of operational cooperation.

During the meeting at the Customs Agency's Central Customs Directorate, the parties also signed a grant agreement for the provision of eight unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The drones will be used by the customs intelligence and investigation units to help combat drug trafficking.

"The new equipment will enhance the operational capabilities of the Bulgarian customs administration," Customs Agency Director Nikolay Shushkov said, emphasizing the importance of the strategic partnership with British institutions.

As part of their visit to Bulgaria, the British delegation also toured the Kapitan Andreevo Border Checkpoint, where they were briefed on the work of Bulgarian customs officers in processing cross-border traffic and preventing smuggling, including efforts to combat the use of so-called "small boats".

Earlier on Wednesday, the Customs Agency announced that, as part of the international Pirates 4 operation, Bulgarian customs officers had seized goods worth nearly EUR 5 million. A total of 186,858 items suspected of infringing intellectual property rights were detained. Officers also discovered 165,548 undeclared cigarette packs, 4,000 kg of refrigerant gas (freon) and 163 kg of perfume essences. In addition, they confiscated 5.170 kg of gold, EUR 77,880, GBP 4,000 and USD 5,400.