Police in Pleven have shut down an illegal methamphetamine lab in a villa near Cherven Bryag and detained three men aged 29, 41 and 42, the regional police directorate in Pleven said.

The raid on the villa, in the Markova Mogila area, began at about 12:00 on Tuesday, 13 October. Officers from the organised crime unit, the Cherven Bryag district police station and the special tactical operations unit took part.

In the search, police found chemicals and precursors for making methamphetamine, lab equipment, and powders and crystals that look like methamphetamine. The villa also held three cannabis plants, products for growing them and about 5 kg of dried green plant material.

Police also found a rifle with no factory serial number and no permit, a metal detector and mobile phones.

Officers then searched two homes in Cherven Bryag used by the 42-year-old, and his car. They found more substances that look like methamphetamine, and red phosphorus. They also seized jewellery and many coins from different eras that appear to be cultural and historical artefacts.

The three men can be held for up to 24 hours. A pre-trial investigation has been opened under the supervision of the Pleven District Prosecutor's Office.

Expert tests will show the type and make-up of the seized substances, and what exactly the items that may have cultural and historical value are.