Six individuals have been arrested for their alleged involvement in an international human trafficking network operating through Bulgaria and Serbia into Western Europe. The arrests followed a specialized police operation jointly conducted by the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDCOC) and the General Directorate Border Police (GDBP), according to the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior.
The coordinated operation took place on October 22 across several Bulgarian cities, including Sofia, Plovdiv, Pazardzhik, and Montana. Authorities believe one of the detained suspects holds a senior position within the trafficking hierarchy.
The Ministry confirmed that three of the suspects have been formally charged and placed in pre-trial detention. During the raids, police searched three properties and one vehicle, seizing a range of evidence including mobile phones, €5,120 in cash, car rental agreements, vehicle registration documents, payment receipts, and other items linked to the criminal enterprise.
Investigators have also interviewed eleven witnesses, and the case is being supervised by a prosecutor from the Sofia City Prosecutor’s Office. The Ministry indicated that the investigation remains ongoing.
According to the Interior Ministry, Border Police officials began uncovering the trafficking network earlier this year. Speaking at the International Conference “Bulgaria in Schengen” on Friday, Border Police Chief Anton Zlatanov highlighted the country’s progress in tackling illegal migration.
“For two consecutive years, we have achieved a 70 percent reduction in migrant pressure,” Zlatanov stated.
Authorities continue efforts to dismantle the trafficking organization and strengthen border security operations across the region.
Source: GNA
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