Border police from the Tsarevo department thwarted an attempt at illegal crossing of the Bulgarian border, detaining 28 foreign citizens without documents. The incident took place on August 11, when law enforcement officers stopped a white minibus for inspection on the road to Burgas around 19:50.
During a thorough inspection of the vehicle, border police discovered 28 men without the necessary documents for legal stay in the country in the cargo area. The subsequent investigation revealed that 26 of the detainees were citizens of Afghanistan, and two were from Pakistan.
All illegal migrants were immediately detained and taken to the Border Police Department – Tsarevo for further procedures,
a police spokesperson reported.
The driver of the minibus, a 40-year-old man from the town of Teteven, was also detained by the authorities. Upon inspection, it was found that he was driving the vehicle while intoxicated with 1.56 per mille of alcohol in his blood. Additional tests showed positive results for cocaine and amphetamine use.
The District Prosecutor_q_s Office was immediately notified of the incident, and rapid proceedings were initiated at the Border Police Department-Tsarevo. Subsequently, the District Court convicted the foreign citizens of illegally crossing the state border.
Coercive administrative measures were imposed on the migrants,
a court representative explained.
They will initially be accommodated in the Special Home for Temporary Accommodation of Foreigners in Lyubimets, after which they will be taken to the border for return to their countries of origin.
Meanwhile, by order of the supervising prosecutor, the minibus driver was charged as a defendant and was placed under permanent detention. He will face legal consequences for human trafficking and driving under the influence of alcohol and narcotic substances.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts of Bulgarian border authorities to combat illegal migration and human trafficking. Security experts emphasize the need for enhanced border control and stricter penalties for traffickers to curb this dangerous phenomenon.