site.bta821 Pre-Trial Proceedings for Narcotic Substances Initiated in June

A total of 821 pre-trial proceedings for narcotic substances were initiated during the month of June, indicated an analysis by the specialized interdepartmental unit of the prosecution service and the Ministry of Interior for the investigation of this type of crime, the prosecuting magistracy said on Monday.

Over 100 kg of drugs, including cocaine (over 10 kg), marijuana (60 kg), cannabis (20 kg), etc., were seized during the month of June.

During the same period, there were 558 specialized police operations and 689 people were arrested for production, processing, acquisition, possession, distribution and trafficking of narcotic drugs. In June, 22 laboratories or cultivation areas were also discovered.

Among the more typical cases were three specialized operations to counter the distribution of fentanyl, in Plovdiv, Targovishte and Montana.

At an address in Plovdiv, envelopes containing a brown powdery substance in the form of lumps were found, which was identified on examination as fentanyl. In Targovishte, at the end of June, in a car stopped for an inspection, two compressed packets with a brown powdery substance  were found and seized. An expert report identified the narcotic substance as fentanyl with a total weight of 1,040 kilograms.

In Montana, 1.14 kg of fentanyl were seized from the home of a man.

In June, 84 people were arrested for smuggling across the border and helping foreign nationals to stay or cross into/cross the country and 30 new pre-trial proceedings were initiated.

Also in June, 382 judicial acts for drug-related offences and 80 for smuggling across the border and unlawfully assisting foreign nationals to stay or transit in/cross the country were enacted.

A record amount of 205 kg and 940 g of cocaine were seized at the Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint in a vehicle with Belgian registration in which a Congolese diplomat was travelling to Brussels.