The Bulgarian Anti-Mafia Directorate uncovered a high-tech laboratory that produced fentanyl

The Bulgarian Anti-Mafia Directorate (GDBOP) has uncovered a high-tech fentanyl laboratory, which is believed to have produced the entire required quantity of the risky drug distributed in the country. The anti-mafia operation was carried out in Sofia early this morning in an agricultural hall in the capital’s “Faculty” district, where the laboratory was located. Three men were detained during the police operations in Sofia, and a total of seven people in the country, related to the production and distribution of the risky synthetic drug.

All the precursors necessary for the production of the dangerous substance were currently found in the base. There is also ready-made fentanyl, and the production was daily, with the quantity – between 6 and 10 kg, being enough to supply the Bulgarian market, said the Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Chief Commissioner Lyubomir Nikolov. I strongly hope, if the analysis of our information is correct, that there will be a shortage on the fentanyl market from tomorrow, he added. According to him, the operational work on the case began some time ago, after the discovery of several transactions with the highly risky drug. 

Those arrested are criminally active, aged between 42 and 53. “The group acted conspiratorially, its members did not even demonstrate a high standard of living,” the general secretary explained.

Due to the risk to the life and health of the employees, the operation was carried out under enhanced security measures and in the presence of toxicologists and medics from the Emergency Department and the Military Medical Academy.

The investigation is ongoing. Expertise and the establishment of the exact quantities of raw materials for production and finished products at the base are pending.

Information about the specialized operation was announced at an on-site briefing by the Ministry’s Chief Secretary, in the presence of the Deputy Director of the Directorate of Anti-Corruption and Counter-Terrorism Darin Kostov.