Bulgarian border guards announced today that they found almost 206 kilograms of cocaine in a van with Belgian license plates that was en route to Turkey.
According to customs officials, it was the largest drug seizure on Bulgaria's land border. The drugs are said to be worth 20 million euros. The drugs were hidden in 179 sealed bags among personal belongings in five suitcases.
Haskovo District Prosecutor Ivan Stoyanov identified the three people who attempted to cross the border with Turkey as a diplomat from the Democratic Republic of Congo accredited in Belgium, a Belgian citizen and a Bulgarian driver.
Stoyanov said they could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of drug trafficking. An investigation has been launched, together with partner organizations in other EU countries, into the origin of the cocaine and its final recipients.
Bulgaria, which has taken steps to combat drug trafficking in recent years, is considered a key transit point on the Balkan drug trafficking route, which is used to supply Western Europe with heroin from Asia and the Middle East, and cocaine from Latin America.
Bonus video:
