Customs officers from the Varna Customs Territorial Directorate seized over 2000 liters of bulk ethyl alcohol during an inspection for compliance with excise legislation.
On 31.01.2026, officers from the “Excise Operational Control” sector of the “Customs Intelligence and Investigation” department carried out an inspection of a specialized small distillation facility (SMOD), located on the territory of a quarter in the city of Varna. During the inspection actions carried out, customs inspectors found numerous PVC cans and tubes containing ethyl alcohol with the characteristics of brandy. A total of 2081.5 liters of ethyl alcohol were found, for which the person using the property did not present documents during the inspection for the payment of the excise duty due and the status of the incriminated goods.
The ethyl alcohol was seized and pre-trial proceedings were initiated in the case according to the inventory of the Varna Customs TD. The investigation activities are being carried out under the supervision of the Varna District Prosecutor's Office.
The Varna Customs TD notes that the enhanced customs control against the unregulated production and trade in alcohol is in the protection of both consumers and honest small producers of brandy for personal and family consumption, distilled in registered SMODs, in accordance with the Excise and Tax Warehouses Act.