A Bulgarian was arrested for involvement in international organised criminal group for violence, racketeering and murder

The arrest of the 32-year-old Bulgarian citizen, a member of an international organised criminal group for violence, racketeering, extortion and murder, was carried out during a specialised police operation by officers of the chief directorate for combatting organosed crime, undertaken on the territory of Sofia on 3 October 2024.

The detainee is suspected of extortion and illegal possession of weapons on the territory of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. A European Arrest Warrant was issued for him by the Amsterdam City Prosecutor's Office, under the direction and supervision of the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office.

The operation was conducted as part of an international investigation. In the course of the actions carried out in the country on the basis of a European Investigation Order, 3 addresses and 2 motor vehicles related to the detainee were searched. At one of the addresses, where he lived, the authorities seized a converted combat pistol with obliterated numbers and silencer, 2 magazines and 19 cartridges for the weapon.

Documents and notes relevant to the investigation were also found. Two mobile phones were also seized. Another 7 firearms (5 pistols and 2 rifles) as well as 1,000 rounds of ammunition were found at two other addresses owned by a person related to the arrested person.

The man was remanded. The Dutch authorities have requested the extradition of the arrested Bulgarian national.