Bulgaria's police authorities have participated in an international police operation – Operation "Fire" - against the production and trafficking of synthetic drugs, Bulgaria's Interior Ministry announced.

According to the Ministry, the large-scale investigation carried out by Europol and other police services in Europe has led to the arrests of "key members of the criminal network."

Operation "Fire", which started in March 2011, has now led to the shattering of three synthetic drug labs and the confiscation of 100 kg of amphetamines as well as of arms and explosives only in Bulgaria, with three men being arrested. What is more, more than 1 400 liters of chemical substances for the production of amphetamines were also seized.

The investigation in question started in Sweden where the Swedish police found large-scale amphetamine imports. A parallel investigation started in Germany and other EU member states, according to the Bulgarian police.

A total of 30 kg of amphetamines were seized in Sweden, and three men were arrested; two more were detained in Germany, and one more – in the Netherlands.

"The successful operation of Europol and the partnering law-enforcement services has dealt a serious blow to this dangerous criminal network of producers and traffickers of drugs," Ron Wainwright, Europol chief, is quoted as saying.