Bulgaria's tax agency has run 228 checks on trucks and vans carrying more than 3.5 tonnes of goods, part of a crackdown on the meat trade. The agency's spokesman in Burgas, Hristo Uzunov, gave the figures.

The checks led to 11 asset freezes worth about 78,000 euros in total. Officials only freeze assets when they spot signs that the person receiving the goods poses a risk, not after every check.

"The frozen amount comes to 30% of the market value of the goods," Uzunov said. For perishable goods, payment is due at once. For everything else, within 72 hours. The aim is to make sure businesses pay what they owe, in full and on time.

The crackdown has been running since 1 September and covers the whole chain: imports, goods bought inside Bulgaria, transport and storage, right through to the final sale. Tax officials are watching 40 warehouses, cold stores and other sites run by 10 companies across the country. Most, 13 sites, fall under the Sofia tax office, while 6 storage sites are being watched in the Burgas region.

At roadside checks, inspectors look at transport documents and check whether a unique tracking number has been declared for goods seen as a high tax risk. They also check routes, senders, recipients and unloading points.

"We're also checking for transport that hasn't been declared properly — cases where no unique number was registered for the delivery beforehand," the Burgas spokesman said.

At the warehouses, staff compare the stock actually on hand with the paperwork — delivery notes, warehouse records, invoices and other documents.

Uzunov said more unique transport numbers are now being declared in the meat sector. This, he said, makes it easier to track goods and pushes businesses to stick closer to the tax rules.

The checks will continue, with the tax agency aiming to cut tax evasion, tackle unfair competition and stop undeclared transport of goods.

Updated (02.10, 12:37): The security deposit for perishable goods must be paid within 24 hours, not within the timeframe reported by the media, says Hristo Uzunov, spokesman for the National Revenue Agency in Burgas.