Criminal Group Behind Bars: Drug Trafficking Controlled from Prison

The Main Directorate "Combating Organized Crime" (GDBOP) and the prosecutor's office in Gabrovo successfully dismantled a well-structured criminal group specialized in the distribution of various narcotic substances.

The investigation revealed an extremely interesting model of criminal activity, where the group's leader - a 32-year-old man serving an effective 8-year sentence, continued to manage his operations directly from the prison dormitory in Troyan.

According to official sources, the criminal group operated extremely organizationally and conspiratorially, distributing drugs in several regional cities - Ruse, Gabrovo, Burgas, and Sofia. The investigation established that the criminal network was hierarchically structured, with clear subordination and strict communication channels.

During the large-scale special operation, searches were conducted on 16 different premises and two vehicles. Forensic experts seized a total of 36 electronic devices, 8 precision scales, and a monetary sum amounting to over 20,000 leva and euros.

The group's leader - Alexander Kovachev, was previously convicted of a serious traffic accident in which three young people died. From his prison cell, he continued to coordinate the criminal group's activities using illegal phones and communication applications.

Kostadin Kostaddinov, head of department at GDBOP, emphasized the group's exceptional conspiratorial nature: "We managed to acquire his illegal phones and trace the communication channels between group members".

Criminal inspector Kamen Nedyalkov added that the group had extremely well-established protective mechanisms, including impersonal meetings and communication through specialized internet applications.

As a result of the operation, a total of nine people were detained, with four of them in custody. The prosecutor's office will request a "permanent arrest" measure for the detained members of the criminal group.

The investigation continues, with investigating authorities working to establish the full scope and scale of criminal activity.