Customs officers from a mobile team of the Ruse Customs Directorate discovered cigarettes concealed in secret compartments of one passenger car and two trucks during three separate inspections. A total of 1,130 cartons without Bulgarian excise labels were seized.
On April 30, 2026, a mobile team from the “Anti-Drug Trafficking” and “X-Ray Systems” units at the Ruse Customs Directorate stopped a passenger vehicle with Romanian license plates, driven by a Turkish citizen, near the Danube Bridge border crossing – Ruse. During the inspection, 810 cartons of cigarettes were found in a specially constructed hidden compartment, and another 20 cartons were discovered in the driver’s backpack. In total, 830 cartons (16,600 cigarette sticks) without excise labels and bearing the “DUTY FREE” inscription on the packaging were seized. An investigating customs inspector was notified, and a pre-trial proceeding was initiated.
During a second inspection carried out on May 5, 2026, a mobile team operating in the area of the Danube Bridge – Ruse stopped a cargo truck exiting the Republic of Bulgaria. Following a risk analysis, the truck was selected for a thorough customs inspection. During the check, excisable goods – tobacco products – were found behind the external insulation of the cabin floor. A total of 4,400 cigarette sticks (220 cartons) were discovered, all bearing Turkish excise labels on their packaging. An administrative violation report was drawn up for the case.
On May 9, 2026, a third inspection of a cargo truck was conducted. In this instance, 80 cartons (1,600 cigarette sticks) bearing Turkish excise labels were found in natural cavities within the truck’s cabin. An administrative violation report was issued.
Source: Customs Agency
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