Customs and TradeNewsSmuggling

Nine persons were detained during the specialized operation in Bulgaria, over 2,500 items were seized

GDBOP neutralized an organized criminal group for the import of goods with protected trademarks during a specialized police operation conducted on September 16 and 17, 2024 in the territory of Haskovo and Burgas regions.

The action was implemented after an investigation by the Main Directorate “Fighting Organized Crime” and according to pre-trial proceedings initiated by the District Prosecutor’s Office – Haskovo for a crime under Art. 321, para. 6, in connection with Art. 172b of the Criminal Code.

According to the collected data, the contraband import of goods was carried out through the “Captain Andreevo” checkpoint by several persons who were identified during the investigation.

The products were distributed on the territory of Bulgaria, both through direct sales with the mediation of courier companies, and through wholesale warehouses established in the territory of the city of Dimitrovgrad and k. Sunny Beach complex.

In the course of the operation, numerous actions were carried out on the investigation in several cities – Svilengrad, Dimitrovgrad, Burgas and Sofia. Searches were carried out at 10 addresses, 10 motor vehicles and 10 person searches. More than 2,500 items, 2 cars, a large amount of items with the logos of various global brands, a mobile phone and other items and items related to the investigation were seized.

9 participants in the criminal scheme were detained, 7 of them were charged.