The former drug boss of Bulgaria's southern Black Sea coastal region is to spend 4 years and 6 months in jail, Burgas District Court decided Wednesday.

The deal that the defendant Dimitar Zhelyazkov, aka Ochite, made with the prosecution five days ago was approved by the court after he pleaded guilty on all charges of the accusation.

The time that he has spent in detention after his arrested on April 5, 2007, will be subtracted from the sentence.

Zhelyazkov is also to pay BGN 3,540 of the court costs, and will be subject to a property confiscation worth USD 18,000 which go to the state.

Dimitar Zhelyazkov, dubbed Mityo Ochite (The Eyes), was accused of organizing an armed group for drug dealing and trafficking together with 16 other persons.

Zhelyazkov's main associate Yanko Gyurov was sentenced to 4 year and 4 months in jail. He is to pay BGN 2575 of the costs of the trial.

Most of the other members of Zhelyazkov's group received sentences ranging from 1 year to 3,5 years with the exception of Ivan Hadjiev and Petar Petrov.

Hadjiev is sentenced to 5 years in jail and a BGN 50 000 fine. He is accused of leading an organized crime group, ownership of explosives, and ownership of high-risk narcotics.

Petrov also received 5 years in jail and a BGN 20 000 fine for acquiring and owning 276 grams of heroin.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!