Customs officials at Kapitan Andreevo checkpoint discovered five exotic live corals concealed in the luggage compartment of a bus. This is the first seizure of live corals at the checkpoint.
On 14 December 2025, at around 19:30, a bus with foreign registration arrived at the checkpoint. The vehicle was carrying 36 passengers, a driver, and a second driver travelling from Turkey through Bulgaria to North Macedonia. All passengers declared that they were not carrying goods to declare. Following a risk analysis, the bus was selected for a thorough inspection.
During the check, customs officers found a white polystyrene box hidden among passengers’ bags. Inside the box were five transparent plastic bags filled with water, each containing a live coral. The second driver claimed ownership of the corals but failed to provide any documentation.
The corals were seized under EU Regulation No. 338/97 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora through trade controls, and the Bulgarian Biodiversity Act. Initial expert examination confirmed that the corals belong to five different species and are protected.
Immediately after the discovery, the corals were transported to the Regional Natural History Museum in Plovdiv to ensure proper care and conditions.
The 33-year-old Macedonian driver has been issued a contraband offence report under the Customs Act.
Photo by Customs Agency
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