Seven Charged, Including Police Officers, in Bulgarian Organized Crime Bust

Bulgarian Authorities Charge Police Officers in Organized Crime Case

Seven individuals, among them three serving police officers, have been formally charged in Bulgaria for their alleged involvement in an organized criminal group. The charges, announced on December 15, 2025, stem from an operation conducted on December 12, 2025, across Sofia and the Lovech region. The group is accused of engaging in arson, bribery, and narcotics trafficking.

Details of the Accused and Criminal Activities

The three police officers implicated include the head of Sofia's Fifth Regional Police Department, an experienced operative from the same unit, and a policewoman. Prosecutors believe one of these officers held a leadership position within the criminal organization. The criminal structure is reported to have been active for approximately a year and a half, operating in both the capital city of Sofia and the central northern region of Lovech.

During the coordinated operation, law enforcement seized significant quantities of illicit substances, including:

• Marijuana
• Synthetic drugs
• Cocaine

Investigation and Official Response

The investigation into the organized criminal group was initiated five months prior by the Lovech District Prosecutor's Office. The Interior Ministry's Internal Security Directorate received an initial tip-off at the beginning of 2025, with a police officer reportedly among the sources of information. Valentin Valkov, the Lovech District Prosecutor, presented details of the case at a briefing in Sofia.

Following the charges, Lyubomir Nikolov, the Sofia police chief, confirmed that he had submitted a proposal to the Interior Minister for the immediate removal of the three implicated officers from their posts. Plamen Yordanov, identified as the head of the Fifth Police Department, has challenged his detention. Commissioner Iliya Kuzmanov has been appointed as the interim head of the Fifth Police Department.

Legal Proceedings Underway

All seven defendants have been placed under 72-hour detention. Hearings to determine permanent preventive measures, including potential pretrial detention, are anticipated to take place in the coming days at the Lovech District Court. The suspects face potential prison sentences ranging from three to 15 years, depending on the specific charges.