Massive Illegal Cigarette Factory Uncovered in Southern Bulgaria
Authorities have uncovered what is believed to be the largest illegal cigarette factory ever discovered in Bulgaria
Crime | July 10, 2025, Thursday // 11:23
Bulgarian Customs Boast Contraband Interception, Revenues Still Low
- Tweet
Send to Kindle
File photo from Customs Agency
The Bulgarian customs authorities have managed to intercept over BGN 400 M worth of contraband fuels and cigarettes since the start of PM Plamen Oresharski's term.
Despite this figure however, the Bulgarian Customs Agency has gathered BGN 322 M less than the revenue envisioned in the national budget for 2013, Dariknews reports.
Experts argue that most of the intercepted contraband was through major specialized operations, while much of the smaller smuggling channels have managed to outwit the authorities.
The analysis of the Ministry of Finance is that the Customs Agency still has much more room for improvement. Discipline among its staff is still an issue, and structural changes can be expected in the future. Better cooperation between the National Revenue Agency and the Customs Agency is also recommended.
On the other hand, customs officials complain that the unstable political situation is affecting their work. Frequent changes in the agency's management and the regulations are pointed out as major problems.
Related Articles:
Cigarette Prices in Bulgaria to Rise by 50 Stotinki Starting in May
Starting in May, the price of cigarettes in Bulgaria will rise by 40 to 50 stotinki (coins) per pack
Society | March 25, 2025, Tuesday // 16:04
EU Directive Triggers Price Hike for Cigarettes in Bulgaria Starting April 1
A rise in the excise duty on tobacco products starting April 1 will lead to an increase in cigarette prices by about 2.40 leva per pack
Society | March 15, 2025, Saturday // 09:27
Belgium Becomes First EU Country to Ban Disposable E-Cigarettes from January 1
Belgium will become the first European Union country to ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes
Bulgaria's Cigarette Excise Tax: Lowest in the EU
Bulgaria has the lowest excise tax on cigarettes in the European Union
Youth Smoking Epidemic: Survey Exposes Disturbing Trends in Bulgaria
Preliminary data from an online survey conducted by the Medical University - Plovdiv and the Health Care Foundation reveal concerning trends in smoking habits among children in Bulgaria
Bulgaria Publishes 7,000 Public Contracts Worth Over €30 Billion in Transparency Push
The Ministry of Finance has released a broad public dataset covering more than 7,000 public procurement contracts with a combined value exceeding 30 billion euros
Bulgaria Expects Fuel Price Drop as Oil Falls 20%, Says Finance Minister
Caretaker Finance Minister Georgi Klisurski said he expects fuel prices at gas stations to ease in the coming period, pointing to a sharp decline in international oil markets
Borrowing Surge: Bulgaria Raises Over €1 Billion in Early 2026 Debt Issuance
Bulgaria’s new government borrowing for 2026 has surpassed the 1 billion euro mark following the latest successful auction of state securities, according to data cited from the Bulgarian National Bank
Is Another Crisis Coming? Bulgaria’s Central Bank Chief Flags Inflation Spiral Risk
Bulgaria recorded only a modest and one-off increase in inflation following the adoption of the euro on January 1, with the effect estimated at between 0.3 and 0.4 percentage points
Bulgaria Records 1.5 Billion Euro Budget Deficit in March, Highest in 15 Years
Data released by the Ministry of Finance, covering budget execution for February 2026 and preliminary estimates for March 2026, indicate a marked deterioration in Bulgaria’s fiscal position
Bulgaria Ranks 38th in Economic Freedom, Between Costa Rica and Oman
In the 2026 edition of the Index of Economic Freedom, compiled by the Heritage Foundation, Bulgaria is placed 38th out of 176 countries, positioned between Costa Rica and Oman
