Police in Varna disrupted crime group involved in production of vape liquid

A high-tech laboratory, open-air levels, 12 greenhouses and numerous different drugs were discovered during a specialised operation targeting drug production and distribution on the Northern Black Sea coast. The operation was carried out yesterday, September 17, in Varna and the district.

Officers of the General Directorate for Combating Organised Crime and Prevention of Drug Trafficking (GDBOP) disrupted an organised crime group involved in cultivation of hemp plants, production and distribution of narcotic substances.

The operation was supervised by the Varna District Prosecutor's Office. In the course of it, numerous operational and procedural investigative actions were carried out - under urgency and with court authorizations.

14 addresses and 2 motor vehicles were searched in the territory of the district. At one of the addresses in Varna, a high-tech laboratory with an installation for the extraction of psychoactive cannabinoids through physico-chemical processes - production of "delta 8 THC" tetrahydrocannabinol, which is reportedly intended for the creation of liquids for vape devices.

Two plots of land with approximately 4,400 cannabis plants were identified. In one, a 1.5-acre outdoor field, nearly 2,750 plants were planted, and on the other property, the police officers found 12 indoor-type greenhouses located on a 13-acre site, with approximately 1,632 plants.

On the same property, a total of 470 kg of dried pot, which reacted to marijuana, were found. Some of the narcotics were stored in canisters located in an underground bunker-type shelter with a concealed entrance and vacuum-sealed envelopes.

In the course of the procedural actions, the following were also seized: 45 litres of HHC hexohydrocannabinol, distributed in bottles; over 1,000 jelly dragees; over 4,000 capsules with liquid for "vape devices"; over 1,700 "vape devices"; electronic scales; manuals for obtaining 36,445 BGN; laptops; mobile phones and other items and objects relevant to the investigated activity.

A total of 10 people were detained, including the leader of the crime group.

Seven people have been charged. The remand measure was extended for up to 72 hours for four of them, and "cash bail" was imposed on three others. Numerous expert examinations have been ordered. The investigation is on-going.