A close associate of the alleged organized crime boss Zlatomir Ivanov, aka Zlatko Baretata ("The Barret") - Diyan Gaytanov aka "Boksiora" (The Boxer) and three other people from the Boxer's circle have been detained late Monday evening in the Black Sea city of Burgas.

The have been arrested on allegations of organizing a crime group. Two years ago Gaytanov has been tried by the Burgas District Court for organizing crime activities and a prostitution ring. He received a suspended three-year sentence and five years probation.

The Chief of the Burgas Police confirmed the arrests of Gaytanov an the three other individuals, but declined to offer any details.

The Boxer is considered to be one of the closest associates of Baretata, who appeared in person for his 2006 trial in Burgas. Gaytanov is known in Burgas as the city's new Drug Lord.

On Wednesday, the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office has issued a call for a state-wide and Europe-wide search for Zlatko Baretata.

The search was called after Baretata failed to appear at the Sofia City Prosecutor's Office by 2 pm Wednesday as mandated by a summon issued earlier in the day.

Baretata and several of his closest associates were asked to appear at the Prosecutor's office to be interrogated in connection with allegations of establishing and heading an organized crime group, engaging in murders for hire, distribution, trade, and dealing of illegal drugs.

Sofia Police staged Wednesday morning a special operation in order to detain Zlatomir Ivanov. They raided his offices and his house in the Sofia "Dragalevtsi" suburb.

Baretata's lawyer Lazhezar Takov stated that his client had not yet received a subpoena and the investigation has been initiated due to the allegations of just one shady individual. Takov also declared that his client was in Bulgaria and had nothing to hide.