Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Bulgarian police reports increased illegal migration pressure on Bulgaria

Photo: EPA/BGNES

Since the beginning of 2020, there has been a trend of increasing illegal migration pressure on Bulgaria, as well as the activation of domestic and cross-border criminal networks involved in the illegal transfer of illegal migrants through the so-called "Western Balkan route" to Western Europe. 

The data comes from the General Directorate of the National Police, which were announced today by its director, Chief Commissioner Ventsislav Kirchev, during a meeting of police chiefs of Southeast European countries in Zagreb, with the support of the French police, in the context of the French presidency of the Council of Europe. 

According to the information, mostly foreign nationals, from the starting points of the routes or at the end point of the canal, organize and coordinate the traffic on the route from the Middle East through the Balkans to the countries of Western Europe. The cost of a person's trip from Turkey to a selected destination varies from 3,000 to 7,000 euros. A part of the trafficking of narcotic substances through Bulgaria is carried out through migrants under the so-called "Balkan Route". 

Illegal migrants smuggle mainly heroin and, more recently, methamphetamine, thus paying for the "trafficking service". With regard to marijuana trafficking, the role of Bulgaria as a transit point is growing.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Caretaker Premier Dimitar Glavchev

The government will gradually evacuate Bulgarians from Lebanon

The government will gradually evacuate Bulgarians from Lebanon. Preparation for the air evacuation of Bulgarian citizens wishing to leave Lebanon is underway. The decision was taken at a meeting convened by caretaker Premier Dimitar Glavchev with the..

published on 9/29/24 4:03 PM

Bulgaria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against travelling to Israel

Travelling to Israel and staying in the country should be avoided, except in case of emergency, the Bulgarian Ministry of   Foreign Affairs  said. All citizens arriving in or departing from Israel via Ben Gurion Airport are advised to approach..

published on 9/29/24 3:14 PM
MEP Andrey Kovatchev

Andrey Kovatchev: The Western Balkan countries must do their homework if they want to join the EU

There is no need for a mediator in relations between Bulgaria and North Macedonia, MEP Andrey Kovatchev told BNR on the occasion of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's proposal to mediate between Sofia and Skopje. Regarding the decoupling..

published on 9/29/24 2:59 PM