The General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDBOP) has uncovered an active, high-tech factory for illegal cigarette production, established on the premises of a former pulp plant in the town of Mizia.
The specialized operation was executed this afternoon following a joint international investigation involving GDBOP, the Central Investigation Bureau of Poland, and OLAF.
Details regarding the police raid were announced by the Deputy Director of GDBOP, Senior Commissioner Darin Kostov. "What is interesting in this case is that this time, thanks to the swift actions of our colleagues, we managed to apprehend the workers as well, who were attempting to flee the country," he stated.
According to him, one of the detained individuals has been wanted since 2022 for involvement in the operations of another illegal cigarette manufacturing facility.
Authorities also seized two heavy-goods trucks used to transport a portion of the machinery and equipment. Large quantities of finished cigarettes, as well as raw materials and supplies for their production, were discovered on-site.
The illegal factory was modernly equipped, completely soundproofed, supplied with its own power generator for electricity production, and featured dedicated living quarters to accommodate the workers.
The investigation is ongoing.
