Bulgaria
The press center of the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior announced that serious damage to Bulgaria’s state budget amounting to BGN 2.5 million (US$1.42 million) has been prevented as an illegal manufacturing facility for tobacco products was busted in the town of Lukovit. The factory was shut as a result of a special operation conducted under the supervision of the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office.
The authorities found some 13 tons of tobacco as well as a storehouse, production facilities, cigarette packs ready for sale, machines, filters, and other equipment.
The manufacturing facility was run by an organized crime group, but those at the helm of the illegal operation are currently hiding abroad.
The tobacco products were sold both on the Bulgarian market and in other countries.
Bulgaria’s Deputy Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov announced that cigarettes worth BGN 3 billion would have been produced from the busted tobacco and the state budget would have lost nearly BGN 2.5 million in unpaid excise taxes.