Over a ton of drugs seized in July, 40 laboratories uncovered

Record-breaking Month for Drug Enforcement: Over a Ton and a Half of Substances Seized in July

785 people detained for drug-related crimes, with discovered laboratories nearly double the previous month

Sofia. Bulgarian law enforcement agencies report significant success in the fight against drug crime and illegal migration in July 2025. This is according to the monthly analysis of the Specialized Interdepartmental Unit, established in cooperation between the Ministry of Interior (MoI) and the prosecutor's office. The data indicates that during the past month, huge quantities of narcotics were seized, hundreds of police operations were conducted, and a large number of individuals were detained.

According to the report, between July 1 and July 31, 2025, over 1 ton of cannabis and 465 kg of marijuana were seized. These impressive quantities are the result of 596 specialized police operations aimed at combating the production, processing, acquisition, possession, and distribution of narcotic substances. During this period, 785 people were detained, and 896 pre-trial proceedings were initiated.

The increase in the number of discovered drug laboratories and plant cultivation areas is particularly noteworthy. In July 2025, there were 40, which is nearly twice as many as the previous month, when there were 22. This sharp increase shows enhanced activity by the services in uncovering the entire chain from production to distribution.

Among the more significant cases highlighted in the analysis is an investigation that uncovered six fields with a total of 526 cannabis plants in the Ograzhden mountain. The operation led to the seizure of huge quantities of raw material. In the land of the village of Zoychene, Petrich municipality, two fields were found planted with 330 plants with a total weight of 757 kg. In the same operation, conducted in Petrich municipality, a field with 55 plants with a total weight of 82.5 kg was found in the land of the village of Krandzhilitsa, while three fields with 141 cannabis plants with a total weight of 245.5 kg were discovered in the land of the village of Dragush. These cases highlight the scale of the illegal activity and the effectiveness of the work of the interdepartmental unit.

Achievements were also noted in the field of combating illegal migration. In July, 411 specialized operations were conducted, resulting in the detention of 51 foreign citizens residing illegally in Bulgaria. A total of 45 new pre-trial proceedings were initiated for crimes under articles 279, 280, and 281 of the Penal Code, related to illegal migration. A total of 99 people were detained for illegally crossing the border and assisting foreign citizens to reside in or pass through the country.

"The data from the report shows that the work of the unit does not stop with uncovering crimes, but also monitors their judicial development. In July 2025, 317 court rulings for drug-related crimes came into effect, as well as 83 rulings for illegal border crossing and assisting foreigners."

The Specialized Interdepartmental Unit between the MoI and the Prosecutor's Office of the Republic of Bulgaria was established in August 2023 with a joint order. Its main goal is to support the investigation of specific types of crimes by monitoring initiated and ongoing pre-trial proceedings. The monthly analyses, like the one for July, are a key tool for assessing the effectiveness of joint efforts and improving strategies for combating organized crime.