A blow against smuggling: Over 7,600 packs of cigarettes confiscated

Officers from the "Drug Trafficking Control" and "Customs Intelligence and Investigation" departments in Varna have uncovered a large-scale scheme for the illegal transport of excise goods. During a specialized operation, three passenger cars with Bulgarian registration, traveling towards Austria and Germany, were detained.

The inspection was carried out within the framework of the increased compensatory measures of the Customs Agency following the removal of internal border controls in the EU.

Hidden compartments in the floor and doors

Despite the passengers' claims that they were not transporting excise goods, a thorough inspection revealed well-disguised compartments. Inspectors discovered a total of 152,600 individual cigarettes (7,630 packs), hidden in non-standard locations:

  • In the floor of the passenger compartments;
  • In the vehicle doors;
  • In the structure of the seats.

All seized cigarettes have a valid Bulgarian excise tax label, but their transport is in violation of excise legislation. Administrative-penal proceedings have been initiated in these cases, which will identify all participants in the illegal trafficking.