Haskovo, Bulgaria – April,25 2025
Bulgarian customs officers at the Kapitan Andreevo border crossing near Haskovo uncovered a massive smuggling operation on Wednesday, seizing €524,940 ($550,000) in undeclared cash hidden inside a Turkey-registered truck bound for Afghanistan. The record-breaking discovery marks the largest undeclared currency interception in Bulgaria this year.
Key Details:
Operation: During a routine exit inspection, officers detected anomalies in the truck’s cabin using X-ray scanners. A physical search revealed bundles of euro banknotes stashed inside the mattress of the driver’s rest area and beneath the rear panels of both seats.
Driver’s Claim: The Turkish national driver presented paperwork stating the cargo originated in Germany and was en route to Afghanistan via Bulgaria and Turkey. Authorities are investigating potential ties to transnational money laundering networks.
Investigation: The Haskovo District Prosecutor’s Office has launched a criminal probe, overseen by investigators from the Burgas Customs Directorate. The driver faces charges for smuggling undeclared currency, which exceeds Bulgaria’s legal limit of €10,000 for cross-border cash transport.
Context:
Kapitan Andreevo, a major EU-Turkey border checkpoint, has long been a hotspot for smuggling activities due to its strategic location on the Balkan route. The seizure underscores ongoing challenges in curbing illicit financial flows through the region.
