Heroin Market Stagnation Led to Turf Wars in Bulgaria

Crime | January 26, 2007, Friday // 00:00

The most probable reason for the drug turf wars going on in Bulgaria's Varna at the seaside is the stagnation of the heroin market, police have said.

Members of the Anti-organized crime combat units have revealed for Darik News that that particular drug was low in demand lately, and the gangs are now losing about BGN 50,000 a month.

Alleged drug kingpin Valentin Zhelyazkov, dubbed Valyo Bandita, wanted his gang to tap into heroin sales, while the rivalling gang wasn't happy with the monopoly he held on distributing ecstasy, amphetamines, and marijuana in local bars. Monopola, the gang led by Zhelyazkov, is still in charge of the suburbian districts, while the other grouping holds the grip on the downtown area and on the Golden Sands resort.

Police had forecast the clashes between the two gangs as early as the middle of 2006. The "war" between the two escalated in a shootout Thursday evening. The leaders of the two gangs are still at large and they may be hiding abroad.

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