1,212,300 counterfeit euro banknotes were discovered after the operation carried out by the Bulgarian Anti-Money Laundering and Counterfeiting Department on Monday. Five people were detained - two Romanian, one Italian and two Bulgarian citizens, who, according to investigators, regularly visited Bulgaria with the aim of making and distributing counterfeit money with a face value of 100 euros.
The investigation also led to Pazardzhik, where another 200,000 counterfeit euros in 500 euro banknotes, as well as 1 kg of cocaine, were found in an apartment. The Italian citizen was detained on site.
The specialized operation was conducted based on information about an active international criminal group for making and distributing counterfeit euros. 11 searches and seizures of cars, homes, searches of persons and inspection of the scene were carried out.
The Secretary General of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Chief Commissioner Georgi Kandev, indicated that the work on the activities of the criminal group began a month ago. The investigation is being carried out jointly by the Bulgarian and Romanian authorities.
One of the Romanian citizens, who is believed to be the organizer of the channel, was detained in Romania after an assessment by the authorities on both sides. The printing house of the counterfeit money was also discovered.
The Director of the Directorate of Counterfeiting and Counterfeiting, Chief Commissioner Martin Zlatkov, explained that the banknotes in question are new production and have not been detected in circulation.
All protocols have been submitted to the prosecutor's office and filed in court. Actions on the case continue.