Three people have been arrested in Bulgaria's capital Sofia for laundering USD 5 M in an international scam.

The special operation of the Main Directorate for Combatting Organized Crime, GDBOP, was conducted in connection with a partner operation of the Drug Enforcement Administration, DEA, in the US.

The operation has been led by the special anti-Mafia Prosecutor's Office and aimed at neutralizing a gang which was part of an international crime group dealing with large-scale money laundering, the Interior Ministry press office informs Saturday.

A female, G. Ch, 35, from Sofia, has been the ringleader, sought by Interpol since November 21.

Through a website she received between January 2010 and November 2012 orders and money for delivery of medications to customers in the US, in violation of US laws.

The DEA probe discovered money transfers from a Bulgarian bank to pharmacies in America, which issued illegal prescriptions for controlled substances. This way over USD 5 M have been laundered.

Five locations in Sofia have been raided with the police confiscating bank and tax documents, computers and cellphones.

In addition to G. Ch, the police arrested G.K., 36, from the Black Sea city of Burgas, and M.M., 63, from the southern city of Haskovo.

Pre-trail procedures have been launched and Interpol has been notified.

Meanwhile, DEA employees have arrested 9 people in the US in connection with the same scam.

The investigation in the case continues.

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