Seven People, Including Police Officers, Charged with Participation In Organised Criminal Group Operating in Sofia and Lovech

Seven people have been charged with participating in an organised criminal group involved in arson, bribery, and drug trafficking in Sofia and Lovech. Two of the accused are alleged leaders of the group, one of whom is a Ministry of Interior officer, the Lovech District Prosecutor Valentin Valkov announced at a briefing on December 15. The event was also attended by Emil Borisov, Deputy Director of the Chief Directorate for Combatting Organised Crime (GDBOP), Commissioner Petar Petrov, Deputy Director of Internal Security – MoI, and Chief Commissioner Lyubomir Nikolov, Director of the Sofia Police Directorate (SDVR).

The investigation was launched five months ago by the Lovech District Prosecutor’s Office. The group is reported to have been active for approximately a year and a half. The operation to detain the suspects took place on 12 December in both cities. Large quantities of drugs—marijuana, synthetic narcotics, and cocaine—were seized, along with tens of thousands of euros.

Prosecutor Valkov added that further charges may be brought against other individuals and that one more person is expected to surrender to the authorities.

The suspects have been detained for up to 72 hours, and the Lovech court will consider their preventive measures.

One of the detained individuals is the head of Sofia’s Fifth Police Department, according to SDVR Director Lyubomir Nikolov. Among those arrested are an operational officer from the same district and a female police officer with several years of service. Nikolov stated that he has submitted a proposal to the Minister of Interior to suspend all officers facing charges. Commissioner Iliya Kuzmanov has been appointed as the interim head of the Fifth Police Department.

The Lovech District Prosecutor noted that the remaining three suspects are already known to law enforcement in relation to drug offences. He added that precursors and equipment related to drug production were also discovered during the operation.

At the beginning of 2025, Internal Security received information that led to the investigation. One of the tips came from a police officer, explained Petar Petrov, Deputy Director of Internal Security - Ministry of Interior.