The Haskovo District Court changed the measure from "detention in custody" to a lighter one and released Abdullah Donma on bail of 10,000 euros on charges of drug trafficking worth nearly 4.6 million leva.
The German citizen of Turkish origin was arrested on March 1 last year at the "Kapitan Andreevo" border crossing with nearly 24 kg of cocaine and over 27 kg of synthetic cannabinoid, in a joint operation by the General Directorate "Fight against Organized Crime", the General Directorate "Border Police" and the "Customs" Agency. The illegally transported prohibited goods were discovered in secret compartments under the cargo floor during a search of the van he was driving.
In changing the measure to a lighter one for the 40-year-old man, the court took into account the fact that the procedural and investigative actions carried out and the evidence collected so far show that Donma did not know about the secret compartments in the van in which the narcotic substance was hidden.
In the previous hearing to consider his measure in March 2025, the man pleaded not guilty and explained that he had been hired as a transporter by his stepfather and his associate for the sum of 1,250 euros. He agreed to complete the course because he needed the money for his wedding scheduled for the end of the month. His designated route was from Germany, through Bulgaria to Turkey.
The clean criminal record and the lack of evidence of anti-social behavior in the case are other reasons given by the court panel for changing the measure from detention to bail for the accused.
If convicted of the act he is accused of, the statutory penalty is imprisonment for 10 to 15 years.
The decision of the Haskovo District Court in today's hearing is subject to appeal and protest before the Plovdiv Court of Appeal.