More than 200 illegal migrants detained at the Bulgarian-Greek border in 2019

More than 200 migrants have been detained in attempts to cross the Bulgarian-Greek border illegally at and beyond border crossings in 2019, BNR reported on February 18. The data was presented in a report of the Regional Border Police Directorate in Smolyan, Southern Bulgaria. Some 39 persons have been detained for involvement in human smuggling.

The report also says that the border police has prevented 4,000 attempts for crossing the Bulgarian-Greek border illegally.

In 2019, approximately 15 million people and 6 million motor vehicles crossed the six border crossings at the Bulgarian-Greek border. Kulata and Makaza were the busiest.

Some 200 persons were not allowed to enter the country because of irregular documents, and 1054 people were not allowed to leave Bulgaria.

More than 16 million cigarettes, 1115 kg of sliced tobacco and 1,437 litres of alcohol without excise labels were seized at the Bulgarian-Greek border in 2019.

For the period, 189 persons were identified to have been involved in smuggling or illegal distribution of excise goods.

2,700 kg of green and dry cannabis mass has been identified and seized in various operations of the competent authorities.