As announced yesterday, the National Service for Combating Organized Crime started a large-scale check-up at the customs of Kulata, Zlatarevo, Vidin and Sofia airport checkpoints. The campaign was initiated upon last week's instructions by the Sofia Prosecutor's Office of Appeal.

The investigation was provoked by a publication in 24 Hours Daily of May 28, which described the smuggling channels, publicly announced the previous day by the Center for the Study of Democracy, magistrates explained.

Thus for instance, household appliances have been illegally imported via the route Thessaloniki - Kulata. The same channel has been used for smuggling various types of Chinese goods, survey data of the Center show. Fruits and vegetables have been smuggled though Zlatarevo checkpoint. Meat and poultry have been usually smuggled via the route Europe - Kalotina - Sofia and Thessaloniki - Kulata - Sofia. According to the data of the Center for the Study of Democracy, smugglers have tried various tricks, such as using false certificates in order to avoid the payment of taxes and excise duties imposed on the imported goods.
Police officers should trace companies involved in smuggling of goods and should find out what the import mechanism is.

Magistrates have required the specialized police officers to check the data on the goods declared at the incoming and outgoing checkpoints as well as the type and quantity of the goods that the internal customs bureaus have imposed customs duties on. Within one month the results of the check-ups should be forwarded to the Prosecutor of Appeal Mr. Ivan Petrov.