site.btaCustoms Agency Intercepts Smuggled Cash and Gold

Customs officers intercepted an attempt to smuggle undeclared EUR 81,170 and 997.50 grams of gold, valued at BGN 325,476 (EUR 166,413.24), during a bus inspection as it was leaving the country, the Customs Agency said on Friday.

The incident occurred during a check at the Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint, where both cash and gold were discovered being smuggled out of Bulgaria.

On August 6, 2025, a bus with Turkish registration driven by a Turkish national arrived at the Kapitan Andreevo border checkpoint. The bus, carrying 30 passengers, was traveling from Germany to Turkiye through Bulgaria. Following a risk assessment, customs officials selected the vehicle for a detailed inspection.

Customs officers observed a passenger displaying signs of nervousness. During a personal search, they found six packages containing euro banknotes hidden in the individual’s socks and jacket pockets. The seized amount totaled EUR 81,170, equivalent to BGN 158,754.

Additionally, two more packages containing yellow metal items were discovered in the back pocket of the man's trousers. Expert analysis determined that the items weighed a total of 997.50 grammes, identified as 22-carat gold, with a total value of BGN 166,722 (EUR 85,243.61).

An investigative customs inspector, under the supervision of the Haskovo District Prosecutor’s Office, has initiated pretrial proceedings in the case.

A week earlier, customs officers at the Kapitan Andreevo checkpoint seized undeclared USD 740,000, EUR 30,000, and 1,288 grammes of gold during an inspection of a Bulgaria-registered car traveling from Bulgaria to Turkey.