The largest illegal cigarette factory in Bulgaria has been uncovered. The operation was conducted by the State Agency “National Security“, the Ministry of Interior, the Customs Agency, and British services.
The illegal production was carried out in a workshop disguised as a car repair shop in Batanovtsi, Pernik municipality. The hall is on the territory of the former cement plant.
Acting Chief Prosecutor Borislav Sarafov announced that this is the second international operation in the last two weeks. He emphasized that the factory is larger than the one in the village of Momkovo, Haskovo, which was busted last year.
Workers from Moldova were working in the workshop, and a truck with about 990 boxes (over 10 million cigarettes) was also detained. The hall is owned by a sole proprietorship, whose manager is a young lady.
The production was intended for export.