The interior ministry has seized about 18 kg of substances containing fentanyl across Bulgaria by September, interior minister Ivan Demerdzhiev told parliament. That is two and a half times the amount seized in all of 2025 and 10 times the amount in 2024.

The figures are preliminary. From 1 May to 30 September 2026, police anti-drug operations in Bulgaria rose by almost 2% on the same period of 2025. Police detained 4,765 people, against 4,049 a year earlier, a rise of 17.7%.

In Sofia, police shut down a fentanyl factory and seized large amounts of the substance, Demerdzhiev noted. He said the authorities are working on prevention and help for addicts, and on regular supply and distribution of the fentanyl antidote.

The minister was answering a question from MP Angel Georgiev of the Vazrazhdane party about the uncontrolled spread of fentanyl in Bulgaria. Georgiev cited a study which says Plovdiv ranks first in Europe for fentanyl use.

"We cannot in any way claim that Plovdiv is first in Europe for fentanyl use," Demerdzhiev said.

In Plovdiv this year, police have carried out 186 anti-drug operations, against 130 in 2025, or 43.1% more. The amount of fentanyl substances seized in the city is 60.7% above the total for all of 2025. "I state categorically that the city has not been left without the police attention it needs and action against the spread of drugs," the minister said.