SOFIA, Bulgaria (BN24) — Bulgarian border officials seized more than 200 kilograms of cocaine hidden in a van headed toward Turkey, one of the largest land-border drug hauls in the country’s history, authorities announced Sunday.
The Belgian-plated van, inspected at the Kapitan Andreevo crossing point near the Turkish border, was found to be carrying 206 kilograms (453 pounds) of cocaine, according to customs officials. The cocaine, packed into 179 vacuum-sealed bags and concealed in five suitcases among personal items, is estimated to have a street value of 20 million euros ($22 million).
Haskovo District Prosecutor Ivan Stoyanov said three individuals were arrested in connection with the smuggling attempt. They include a 40-year-old diplomat from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who is accredited in Belgium; a 54-year-old Belgian national; and a 43-year-old Bulgarian man who was driving the vehicle.
Authorities said the suspects were attempting to cross into Turkey when border agents flagged the vehicle for further inspection. The suspects could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of drug trafficking, according to Bulgarian prosecutors.
“This is the largest cocaine seizure ever recorded at a Bulgarian land border,” Stoyanov told reporters. “An investigation is underway in cooperation with partner organizations in several European Union countries to trace the origin of the drugs and identify their intended recipients.”
Bulgaria, which lies on the Balkan drug-trafficking route, has ramped up anti-narcotics operations in recent years. The region is a key corridor for transporting heroin from Asia and the Middle East to Western Europe, and increasingly, for shipping cocaine from Latin America.
Officials said the discovery highlights the growing use of diplomatic channels and multinational networks in sophisticated smuggling operations across Europe.
The three suspects remain in custody as authorities expand their investigation across multiple jurisdictions.
