The police busted an illegal tobacco processing factory operating in an abandoned house in a forested area near Sofia, BNR reported.
Two men and one woman were arrested. The men have criminal records. One of them has been in prison for the same activity, has a conviction, the other person is registered for the same activity. The tobacco was purchased from agricultural producers.
The police received the report about a week ago. The tobacco was sold wholesale to individuals who then distributed it retail.
Details on the case were reported by Darin Kostov, Deputy Head of the Economic Police Department at the SDVR and Ilcho Blagoev, Head of the Excise Sector at the Economic Police Department at the SDVR:
"These individuals are damaging the budget by millions".
"The finished quantity of production, which is ready for use, is over 40 kg. They were detained at the time of preparation of the tobacco. The one that was to be processed is over 200 kg, which is in place. The tobacco is for smoking and for making cigarettes, these are hand-held cigarettes".