Bulgaria busts major fentanyl lab supplying the entire country, police say

Bulgaria's General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDBOP) has dismantled a fentanyl production laboratory in Sofia. According to preliminary information, the facility was supplying the entire country with the dangerous drug, producing between 6 and 10 kilograms per day.

The unprecedented operation uncovered the main depot and production and distribution base for what authorities described as the country's highest-risk synthetic drug, acting Chief Secretary of the Interior, Chief Commissioner Lyubomir Nikolov, said.

The laboratory was located near Sofia's Fakulteta neighbourhood. Nikolov explained that the investigation began in April, when officers intercepted four drug deals linked to the laboratory.

"We arrested the three individuals involved in the production while they were attempting to transport a prepared shipment of 6 kilograms of fentanyl in their vehicle," Chief Commissioner Nikolov said.

"The group operated in a highly clandestine manner, and its members did not display a lavish lifestyle. One of the producers learned how to manufacture fentanyl by watching videos on the internet," the Chief Secretary said.

He added that the amount of fentanyl produced each day was sufficient to supply the entire country.

"All the fentanyl distributed across Bulgaria originated from this facility, and I sincerely hope that from tomorrow there will be a shortage of this type of drug on the market," Nikolov said.

He also noted that, according to the cadastral register, the property housing the laboratory is owned by the Sofia Municipality. Documents indicating that part of the premises had been leased have also been found, but the circumstances are still being clarified.

Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev wrote on Facebook that "the fight against drug trafficking is being carried out through real action and is targeting producers and distributors."

"The full force of the state is being directed against drug traffickers. These are the clear instructions of Prime Minister Rumen Radev," he added.

Authorities described the dismantled laboratory as highly sophisticated. The operation was conducted under strict safety measures due to the danger posed by toxic fumes. The entire area was cordoned off, GDBOP officers worked wearing special protective equipment, and ambulances were stationed at the scene.